Plate calculator
Enter the weight you want on the bar to get the plates for each side. Turn off any plates your gym doesn't have.
On each side
25 + 15
Bar 20 kg + 40 kg a side = 100 kg.
Converting kg and lb
One kilogram is 2.205 lb, so a 20 kg bar is about 44 lb. Switching units converts your target instead of resetting it. Training from percentages? Get the numbers from the 1RM calculator.
Plate loading FAQ
How much does an Olympic barbell weigh?
A men's Olympic bar weighs 20 kg and a women's 15 kg. In pound gyms the standard bar is 45 lb, about 20.4 kg. Commercial bars vary, so check the end cap if the exact weight matters.
Do collars count towards the weight?
Competition collars do: 2.5 kg each, 5 kg a pair. Spring clips and plastic collars are light enough to ignore.
Why can't it load my exact number?
Every plate goes on twice, so the smallest jump you can make is twice your smallest plate: 2.5 kg with 1.25 kg plates, or 5 lb with 2.5 lb plates. The calculator loads the closest weight below your target and says how far short it is.
Which plates go on first?
Heaviest first, on the inside, then lighter plates outward, with the collar last. That is the loading order in IWF competition rules.
Sources
Built by Max Van Strydonck, Founder of VERTEX. Last reviewed .