Wilks Score Calculator
Written by Thierno Sadou Diallo, formula verified per our methodology • Last checked on 9/8/2026
The Wilks score is calculated with total lifted × 500 ÷ a polynomial of body weight (coefficients specific to each sex). For a 90 kg man totaling 500 kg across squat, bench press, and deadlift, the Wilks score is about 319.2.
Explanation
In powerlifting, directly comparing the total lifted (in kilograms) between two athletes of very different body weights doesn't make much sense: a heavier athlete can generally lift more kilos in absolute terms, without this reflecting greater relative strength. The Wilks score, developed by Robert Wilks in 1994 for the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), solves this problem by applying to the total lifted a coefficient that depends on body weight, calculated from a degree-5 polynomial fitted separately for men and women. The result allows fair comparison of the performance of athletes of very different sizes in the same competition, or tracking one's own relative strength progress over time if body weight changes. This calculator uses the original 1994 Wilks formula, still the most widely cited for historical comparisons today, rather than the 2020 revision which changes the numerator and completely recalculates the coefficients: the two formulas give slightly different scores, so a 1994 Wilks score should never be compared to a 2020 Wilks score as if they were equivalent. As a very general benchmark, a score around 300-350 corresponds to a competitive national level, while the world's best athletes often exceed 500. To estimate your one-rep max before calculating a total, see our 1RM calculator; for a simple strength-to-weight ratio without a polynomial, our strength-to-weight ratio calculator.
Example: a 90 kg man, total of 500 kg
Inputs
Total lifted: 500 kg. Body weight: 90 kg. Sex: male.
Calculation
The body-weight polynomial (men's coefficients) evaluated at 90 kg gives a denominator of about 783.22. Score = 500 × 500 ÷ 783.22 ≈ 319.2.
Result
This 500 kg total at 90 kg body weight corresponds to a Wilks score of about 319.2.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the coefficients different for men and women?
Because the relationship between body weight and maximum strength does not follow exactly the same curve for men and women, due to average physiological differences (body composition, distribution of muscle mass). The Wilks polynomial was fitted separately on competition data specific to each sex to reflect this difference as faithfully as possible.
What is the difference between the 1994 Wilks score and the 2020 version?
The 2020 version (sometimes called Wilks 2, or simply replaced by the IPF GL coefficient in some federations) completely recalculates the coefficients from more recent competition data and changes the numerator from 500 to 600, aiming to better balance the comparison between men and women across the full body-weight spectrum. Both formulas remain in use depending on the federation and context (historical comparisons or current rankings), but should never be compared to each other directly.
Does this score mean anything outside an official powerlifting competition?
It remains useful as a general indicator for tracking your own relative strength progress over time, particularly if body weight changes during a training program. Outside a regulated competition context (with movements performed under strict rules), comparison with other lifters loses some of its rigor, since technique and equipment can strongly influence the total lifted.