ReadyLiftThis plate calculator shows which plates to load on each side of a barbell to reach a target weight. Choose your bar and the plates your gym has, and it loads the largest plates first, the same way the plate calculator in ReadyLift does. If the exact weight isn’t possible, it shows the closest weight you can load.
What do you want on the bar?
Plates available:
How do you work out the plates for a barbell?
Subtract the bar from the target and halve what is left: that is the weight on each side. Then load the biggest plates that fit, and work down. For 225 lb on a 45 lb bar, each side needs 90 lb, which is two 45s. For 100 kg on a 20 kg bar, each side needs 40 kg: a 25 and a 15.
A standard Olympic bar weighs 45 lb (20 kg). Women's bars are usually 35 lb (15 kg), and technique or training bars can be lighter. If your gym has no 35s or 15 kg plates, untick them and the calculator works around it.
Why do small plates matter for programs?
Programs like the 5x5 workout and Madcow 5x5 add 2.5 to 5 lb at a time. Without 1.25 lb or 0.5 kg plates, upper-body lifts stall sooner because every jump is too big. If a target comes out "not possible", fractional plates are usually the fix.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Olympic barbell weigh?
A standard men’s Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg, usually rounded to 45 lb in US gyms. A women’s Olympic bar weighs 15 kg (about 35 lb). Some gyms have lighter technique bars, so check the end cap if you are unsure.
Do collars count toward the weight?
Standard spring clips weigh very little and are usually ignored. Competition collars weigh 2.5 kg each, so if you use them, add 5 kg to the bar weight in the calculator.
Why can’t it hit my exact weight?
Each side must be identical, so the loadable weights depend on your smallest plate. With 2.5 lb plates the smallest jump is 5 lb. Add 1.25 lb or fractional plates to load in smaller steps.
Is the plate calculator free in ReadyLift?
Yes. The plate calculator is built into the ReadyLift logger for free, along with the rest timer, programs and PR tracking.
General training information, not medical advice. If you have an injury, a heart condition or another health concern, check with a doctor or physical therapist before starting a new program.