Train better
RPE calculator
RPE (rate of perceived exertion) describes how hard a set was by how many reps you had left. It lets the load follow the lifter: a good day and a bad day produce different weights for the same prescription — which is the point.
A set you did
What you want to do next
Your loads appear here
Enter a recent set and how many reps you had left in the tank.
How it’s calculated
The scale
RPE 10 = no reps left. RPE 9 = one left. RPE 8 = two left. Half points mean “maybe one more”.
The chart
The percentages come from the reps-to-failure chart popularised by Mike Tuchscherer. A set of 5 at RPE 8 is treated like a 7-rep max (5 done + 2 in reserve), and so on.
Full sources and limitations are on the methodology page. Estimates are for healthy adults and are not medical advice.
Questions
Is RPE accurate for beginners?
Less so — beginners tend to underestimate how many reps they have left. It improves quickly with practice, especially if you occasionally test a set to failure on safe exercises.
RPE or percentages?
Percentages are simpler to follow; RPE adapts to fatigue. Many programmes combine them: a top set by RPE, back-off sets by percentage of it.