Wilks Score Calculator
Convert a powerlifting total to a Wilks score so lifters of different bodyweights can be compared fairly.
How it works
Wilks = total × 500 ÷ (a + b·x + c·x² + d·x³ + e·x⁴ + f·x⁵), where x is bodyweight in kg and a…f are sex-specific coefficients
A heavier lifter almost always out-totals a lighter one, so raw kilograms cannot fairly rank a whole meet. The Wilks formula fixes this with a fifth-order polynomial in bodyweight that produces a coefficient; multiply your total by it and you get a single comparable score. Men and women use different coefficient sets. It was the standard scoring system in the IPF for years, since replaced by the IPF GL points, but the Wilks score is still widely quoted in gyms and older records.
Worked example
A 90 kg man with a 500 kg total: the male polynomial at 90 kg gives a coefficient of about 0.6385, so the Wilks score is 500 × 0.6385 ≈ 319 — an advanced-level result.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Wilks score?
As a rough guide, around 300 is a strong intermediate, 400 is competitive at a regional level, and 500+ is world-class. Standards differ between men and women and across federations, so use it as a relative benchmark.
Is Wilks still used in competition?
The IPF moved to its GL points system, and Wilks2 exists as an updated version, but the original Wilks score remains popular for casual comparison and shows up in a lot of historical results and gym leaderboards.
Does it work for a single lift?
You can apply the coefficient to any total you like, including a single-lift number, but the score was designed for the three-lift powerlifting total, so comparisons are most meaningful there.
Related calculators
Educational estimate, not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.