Wilks Score Calculator (Powerlifting)
Compute your Wilks coefficient and score to compare powerlifting totals across body weights and between men and women.
How it works
Wilks = 500 ÷ (a + b·x + c·x² + d·x³ + e·x⁴ + f·x⁵) × total, x = body weight in kg (sex-specific coefficients)
The Wilks coefficient normalises a powerlifting total for body weight so a 60 kg and a 120 kg lifter can be ranked fairly, since lighter athletes lift more relative to their size. A fifth-order polynomial in body weight produces a multiplier that you apply to the total of your best squat, bench and deadlift; separate coefficients handle the different strength curves of men and women. It is the classic scoring system, though many federations have moved to the newer Wilks-2 and IPF GL formulas.
Worked example
A 90 kg man with a 550 kg total: the denominator evaluates to about 605.3, so the coefficient is 500 ÷ 605.3 = 0.826, and the Wilks score is 0.826 × 550 ≈ 454.4.
Sources: Wilks coefficient
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Wilks score?
Very roughly, 300 marks a strong novice, 400 a competitive regional lifter, and 500+ national-to-world class. Standards differ by federation, era and drug-tested status.
Why do men and women use different coefficients?
Strength scales differently with body weight for each, so the formula uses separate polynomials to keep scores comparable across sexes.
Is Wilks still used?
It remains the best-known score, but many meets now report Wilks-2, DOTS or the IPF GL points, which were fitted to more recent competition data.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.