Train better
Plate calculator
Stop doing arithmetic between sets. Enter the weight you want on the bar and see exactly what goes on each side — largest plates first, the way the bar should be loaded.
Bar setup
Your bar appears here
Enter the weight you want to lift.
How it’s calculated
How it loads
Subtract the bar (and collars), halve the rest, then fill each side greedily from the largest available plate down. If the exact weight is not possible with your plates, we show the nearest achievable load and the difference.
Full sources and limitations are on the methodology page. Estimates are for healthy adults and are not medical advice.
Questions
How heavy is an Olympic bar?
A men’s Olympic bar is 20 kg (≈45 lb); a women’s bar is 15 kg (≈35 lb). Many gym bars are lighter — check the end cap.
Do collars count?
Competition collars weigh 2.5 kg each. Spring clips are light enough to ignore.