Plate calculator
Loaded weight
Plates per side, heaviest first
How it works. The calculator takes the bar off the target, splits the rest evenly between the two sides, and lists the plates for one side, heaviest first. It assumes you have as many of each plate as you need, and collars are not counted. If the plates selected cannot make the target exactly, it shows the closest weight at or below the target.
The calculation runs in your browser.
Example
For a 225 lb target on a 45 lb bar, each side gets 90 lb: two 45 lb plates. For a 100 kg target on a 20 kg bar, each side gets 40 kg: one 25 kg plate and one 15 kg plate. With every plate selected, 228 lb on a 45 lb bar cannot be made exactly, so the calculator shows 225 lb.
Questions
What does a plate calculator do?
It works out which plates go on each side of a barbell to make a target weight, from the bar and the plates you have.
Why does it show less than the weight I entered?
The plates selected cannot make that weight exactly, so the calculator shows the closest weight at or below it. Selecting smaller plates can get closer.
Are collars included?
No. Collars are not counted in the loaded weight.
Can I use kilograms?
Yes. Switch the unit to kg for 20, 15 and 10 kg bars and plates from 25 kg down to 1.25 kg.
For coaches
Wolvec is an AI platform for fitness coaches and online personal trainers, the whole coaching setup rather than an add-on to it.