Calculator · Plate Calculator
Barbell plates: which plates per side?
The plate calculator shows exactly which plates to load per side to hit your target weight — bar weight included.
Result
- Load per side
- 1×25 kg, 1×15 kg
- Total loaded
- 100kg
Per side 40 kg.
Load symmetrically, set the collars, count the bar — then the number on the plan matches what's on the bar.
Method
How the calculation works
We subtract the bar weight from the target, halve the rest and greedily load the largest fitting plates. That keeps the plate count per side minimal.
Standard bar in most gyms is the 20 kg Olympic bar. Women's bars are typically 15 kg, technique bars 10 kg. Short and specialty bars vary.
Methodology: formulas, assumptions and estimate confidence →
Estimate confidence
How reliable is this estimate?
High
The result is pure arithmetic from bar weight and available plates – nothing is estimated.
Interpretation
How to read your result
If your target can't be matched exactly with standard plates (25/20/15/10/5/2.5/1.25 kg), we display the remainder transparently. Pick the nearest loadable weight — a 1.25 or 2.5 kg step is usually enough.
Load symmetrically: same plates, same count, same order per side. That's safety, not aesthetics.
Limits
Where this calculator ends
The calculator doesn't cover special sets, competition plates or fractional plates below 1.25 kg. If you own such plates, you can hit odd targets exactly.
Safety note: always secure the plates with collars — especially on dynamic lifts. Unsecured plates can slide and cause injury.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes
- 01Forgetting the bar weight or assuming the wrong one.
- 02Confusing plates per side with total weight.
- 03Calculating with plates that aren't actually available in your gym.
- 04Counting collars and clips sometimes but not always – without a consistent rule.
- 05Assuming standard weight for specialty bars (e.g. EZ or trap bar).
Example
A worked example
100 kg on a 20 kg bar
Target 100 kg minus 20 kg bar = 80 kg across both sides, or 40 kg per side. Load per side: 1×20 kg + 1×15 kg + 1×5 kg. Symmetric, collars on.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a barbell weigh?
- Standard Olympic bar 20 kg. Women's bars typically 15 kg, technique bars 10 kg. Short and specialty bars vary — check at your gym.
- How do I calculate plates per side?
- (target − bar weight) ÷ 2. That's the load per side; it's built symmetrically with the largest fitting plates.
- What if my target doesn't match exactly?
- Round to the nearest loadable weight. A 1.25 or 2.5 kg step usually doesn't change the training stimulus.
- Which plate sizes are standard?
- 25 / 20 / 15 / 10 / 5 / 2.5 / 1.25 kg. These cover almost all sensible targets in 2.5 kg increments.
- Why does the bar weight count?
- Because you actually lift it. '100 kg on the display' means: 20 kg bar + 40 kg per side. Ignoring the bar puts your real weight 20 kg lower.
More
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