Plate Calculator
Enter your target barbell weight and see exactly which plates to load.
Stop doing barbell maths mid-workout
Loading a barbell means subtracting the bar, halving the rest, and working out the plate combination per side — annoying when you're between sets. This calculator does it instantly: enter your target weight and bar, and it shows the exact plates to load on each side, with a visual of the loadout.
It supports standard kg and lb plates and the common bar weights (20 kg / 45 lb and lighter technique bars). Pair it with the 1RM calculator to set your working weights.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a standard barbell weigh?
A standard Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg (about 45 lb). Women's bars are 15 kg and lighter technique bars are 10 kg — all selectable in the calculator.
Why does it show plates per side?
A barbell is loaded symmetrically, so the calculator shows what goes on one side. Mirror the same plates on the other side to reach your target total.
Which plates does it use?
It uses standard gym plate denominations (25/20/15/10/5/2.5/1.25 kg, or 45/35/25/10/5/2.5/1.25 lb) and always picks the fewest plates needed.