Enter your target weight to see exactly which plates to load on each side.
| Plate Size (each side) | Quantity |
|---|
To figure out barbell plate math yourself: take your target total weight and subtract the barbell weight (typically 45 lb or 20 kg). Divide what's left by 2 to get the weight needed per side, then load plates from heaviest to lightest, closest to the collar first, for the most balanced and stable bar.
Choose your unit and barbell type, enter your target total weight, and calculate. This tool uses standard plate sizes — 45, 35, 25, 10, 5, and 2.5 lb, or 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5, and 1.25 kg — and finds the exact combination for each side. If your target weight isn't achievable with standard plates, the closest possible load will be shown instead.
"Plates" in gym slang always refers to the standard 45 lb (or 20 kg) plate on a standard bar. Here's the quick reference:
Subtract the bar weight from your target, divide by 2 for the per-side load, then fill it with the heaviest plates down to the smallest.
Men's bars weigh 45 lb (20 kg); women's bars weigh 35 lb (15 kg).
Two 45 lb (or 20 kg) plates per side on a standard bar — 225 lb (100 kg) total.
Standard gym collars are negligible and usually ignored. Official competition collars weigh about 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) each and do count.