Barbell Plate Calculator
Enter a target weight and instantly see exactly which plates to load on each side of the bar - in kg or lb, with custom bars and fractional plates.
How it works
Plates load symmetrically, so the calculator first removes the bar weight, then splits the rest evenly between the two ends:
per side = ( target − bar ) ÷ 2It then fills each side heaviest plate first (a greedy load), which gives you the fewest plates to handle. Any weight that can't be made from your plate set is reported as leftover so you know how far off you are.
Worked example
Target 100kg on a 20kg bar: (100 − 20) ÷ 2 = 40kg per side. From a standard kg set that's 1×25 + 1×15 on each end - a clean, exact 100kg.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard barbell weight?
A men's Olympic barbell weighs 20kg (about 45lb). A women's Olympic bar is 15kg (about 33lb). Standard (non-Olympic) bars are often lighter, around 10kg. Always set the bar weight before loading - it counts toward your total.
Why does it show plates per side?
Plates load the same on both ends of the bar. The per-side figure is (target − bar) ÷ 2. The calculator loads the heaviest plates first so you stack the fewest plates possible.
What if my target can't be loaded exactly?
With a normal plate set you can't hit every number. When a target isn't loadable, the calculator shows the closest achievable weight below your target and how much is left over - so you can add a fractional plate or nudge the target.
Can it handle fractional or micro plates?
Yes - add fractional plates (1.25kg, 0.5kg, or 1.25lb, 0.5lb) to the plate list. Micro plates are how you make small, repeatable jumps on lifts like the bench and overhead press.
Does it work in both kg and lb?
Yes. Toggle kg/lb and the bar weight and plate denominations switch to that unit's standard sizes. The math is done in the unit you select, so the plates shown are the real plates you'd load.