Wilks Score Calculator (Powerlifting Normalisation)
The Wilks score is the most widely used "cross-weight, cross-sex" fairness metric in powerlifting. Robert Wilks (1994) regressed thousands of competition results into a fifth-order polynomial in body weight that gives a per-lifter "Wilks coefficient"; multiplying by the meet total (squat + bench + deadlift) yields the score. By construction, an equal Wilks score for a man and a woman represents roughly equal relative strength, so cross-sex comparisons are legitimate. The tool ships both Wilks 2 (2020 revision, multiplier 600) and Wilks 1 (1994 original, multiplier 500). Wilks 2 corrects the original's under-weighting of light women and over-weighting of heavy men, and is the dominant choice in newer federations and training trackers. The IPF switched to IPF GL Points in 2020, but Wilks remains standard outside the IPF and for personal training comparisons.
Please enter a valid number
Wilks score
—
Population tier (rough)
Wilks coefficient: —
The IPF switched to IPF GL Points in 2020; Wilks is still widely used outside IPF meets and for training comparisons.
Formula
Wilks coefficient = M ⁄ (a + b·BW + c·BW² + d·BW³ + e·BW⁴ + f·BW⁵) ; Wilks score = Total(kg) × coefficient ; Wilks 2 multiplier M = 600;Wilks 1 multiplier M = 500
- · Units: the tool accepts kg or lb for both body weight and total (the two unit selectors stay in sync). All math is done in kg internally; 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg (the international 1959 definition).
- · Sex: Wilks ships separate coefficient sets for male and female lifters, each fit on the population of the corresponding sex — it is not "male score × correction factor". Equal Wilks scores therefore represent comparable *relative* strength, which is the whole point of the formula.
- · Population tiers (Wilks 2, all-comer ballpark): < 200 beginner; 200–300 novice; 300–400 intermediate; 400–500 advanced; 500+ elite. Pro powerlifters typically score 500–700+; world-record holders can exceed 700.
- · Wilks 1 vs Wilks 2: Wilks 2 has a flatter slope at the extremes (sub-60 kg women, 120+ kg men), correcting the original's statistical bias against light women and toward heavy men. A given lift typically scores 2–5 % higher under Wilks 2 than Wilks 1.
- · Limits: (1) Wilks measures *relative* strength at a given body weight, not absolute lifting ability; (2) the polynomial is calibrated for roughly 40–200 kg body weight and is unreliable outside that range; (3) it does not account for equipment (raw / single-ply / multi-ply) — compare like with like; (4) it does not account for drug-testing status; (5) by construction the Wilks bell-curve favours middle weight classes — the lightest and heaviest classes find peak scores harder to reach.
- · References: Wilks, R. (1994) original Wilks formula paper; openpowerlifting.org Wilks2 source (github.com/sstangl/opl-data); International Powerlifting Federation IPF GL Points Technical Rules 2020.
Frequently asked
Wilks vs IPF GL Points — which should I use?
In 2020 the IPF officially replaced Wilks with IPF GL Points for its meets, because Wilks still showed bias across equipment categories and sexes. GL Points use an exponential / saturation form: 100 × Total(kg) ⁄ (A − B · e^(−C·BW)), with separate parameter sets for classic-raw, equipped, and bench-only events (the IPF retuned them several times between 2020 and 2022). Practical choice: (1) if you compete in IPF-affiliated federations (IPF, USAPL, USPA, …) → use GL Points; (2) if you compete in non-IPF feds (SPF, RPS, APF, WRPF, …) → Wilks is still standard; (3) for personal training tracking or community comparisons → Wilks (especially Wilks 2) remains the most widely understood number. This tool currently ships Wilks; an IPF GL Points calculator may follow.
What counts as a "good" Wilks score?
Rough ballpark (Wilks 2, raw): (a) under 1 yr training → 200–280 is normal; (b) recreational 2–4 yr → 300–400 is solid; (c) serious 5+ yr → 400–500 is advanced; (d) regional / national meet level → 500–600; (e) world-class → 600+ (for women, 500+ is already world-class). Worked examples: male, 90 kg body weight, 220 / 150 / 250 = 620 kg total → Wilks 2 ≈ 476 (advanced); female, 60 kg, 110 / 60 / 130 = 300 kg → Wilks 2 ≈ 360 (upper intermediate). World-record holders such as Jesús Olivares (super-heavyweight) push Wilks 2 past 700 — extremely rare. Caveat: Wilks does not measure absolute strength. A 100 kg lifter putting up 800 kg and a 60 kg lifter putting up 480 kg might score the same Wilks, but only the former wins meets where ranking is by total.
Why do Wilks 1 and Wilks 2 differ by 2–5 % for the same lift?
Because the two polynomials were regressed on different datasets and with different constraints. Wilks 1 (1994) was fit on early-1990s IPF data with limited sample size, especially for very light women. Wilks 2 (2020) is Robert Wilks's re-fit on 20+ years of additional competition data, with a constraint on the derivative at extreme body weights to remove a known "heavier = automatically higher" bias. The bump from multiplier 500 → 600 is cosmetic — chosen so that elite scores fall in a similar visual range as Sinclair (weightlifting) and IPF GL (powerlifting). Practical impact: light women (< 60 kg) typically score 4–8 % higher under Wilks 2; super-heavyweight men (120+ kg) typically score 3–5 % lower; middle weight classes differ by 1–2 %. Rule of thumb when comparing old Wilks 1 numbers: Wilks 1 ≈ Wilks 2 × 0.95–1.05.
Related tools
BMI (Body Mass Index) Calculator
Enter height and weight to get your BMI and category (underweight / normal / overweight / obese).
BMR & TDEE Calculator
Estimate daily BMR and TDEE using Mifflin-St Jeor or Harris-Benedict, with calorie targets for cutting and bulking.
Body Fat Calculator (US Navy method)
Estimate body fat percentage using the US Navy circumference formula (neck, waist, plus hip for women).
Sleep Cycle Calculator
Suggest ideal bedtimes or wake times based on 90-minute sleep cycles, so you wake up between cycles instead of mid-deep-sleep.
Daily Water Intake Calculator
Estimate daily water intake from body weight, exercise duration and climate so you stay hydrated without overdoing it.
Running Pace Calculator
Compute pace per km / per mile from distance and time, or project finish time from a target pace — covers 5K, 10K, half- and full-marathon distances.
Heart Rate Zone Calculator
Compute 5 training heart rate zones from age and optional resting HR using the Karvonen formula (Z1 warm-up to Z5 max effort).
Lean Body Mass (LBM) Calculator
Estimate lean body mass (LBM), fat mass and body fat % from height, weight and sex using the Boer, Hume and James formulas.
Daily Macros Calculator (carbs / protein / fat)
Split a daily calorie target into grams of carbs, protein and fat at any macro ratio.
One-Rep Max (1RM) Calculator
Estimate one-rep max from a sub-maximal lift (weight × reps) with Epley, Brzycki, Lombardi and Lander formulas, plus a 50–95% intensity training table.
Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator
Estimate body surface area from height and weight using the Mosteller, Du Bois, Haycock and Boyd formulas — commonly used in drug-dosing, chemotherapy and cardiac-index calculations.
Race Time Predictor (Riegel Formula)
Project a finish time at one distance from a known time at another distance using the classic Riegel formula T₂ = T₁ × (D₂/D₁)^1.06.
Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) Calculator
Compute mean arterial pressure from systolic and diastolic blood pressure with clinical bands and pulse-pressure context: MAP = DBP + (SBP − DBP)/3.
Pack-Year (Smoking History) Calculator
Compute cumulative smoking exposure in pack-years from cigarettes per day and years smoked, with lung-cancer-screening thresholds.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) Calculator
Divide waist by hip circumference and check the WHO risk bands — a quick screen for central obesity and cardiovascular risk.
Exercise Calorie Burn (MET) Calculator
Use METs, body weight and duration to estimate calories burned for common activities (running, hiking, swimming, cycling and more).
Caffeine Half-Life Calculator
Pick the dose (mg) and the time you drank it; the calculator uses the standard ~5-hour caffeine half-life to project how many milligrams remain hour-by-hour, including the level at bedtime.
Body Adiposity Index (BAI) Calculator
Bergman’s BAI estimates body-fat percentage from hip circumference and height alone (BAI = hip ÷ height^1.5 − 18) — no scale required.
TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) Calculator
Enter age, sex, height and weight to compare all five activity levels side-by-side — instantly see the daily calories you need to maintain weight.
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Calculator
Estimate blood alcohol concentration (BAC %) with the Widmark formula from drinks consumed, body weight, sex and hours elapsed — and compare against the Hong Kong 0.05% drink-driving limit.
VO₂ Max Calculator (Cooper 12-Minute Run Test)
Enter your distance covered in a 12-minute run to estimate VO₂ max and read off the age/sex fitness category.
Daily Protein Intake Calculator
Enter your bodyweight and training goal to get a science-backed daily protein range (g/day) and per-meal split, based on RDA, ISSN and ACSM/AND/DC guidelines.
Ovulation & Fertility Window Calculator
Enter your last menstrual period (LMP) date and average cycle length to estimate the next ovulation day, fertile window and next period.
Total Body Water (TBW) Calculator
Estimate total body water (in litres) and the percentage of body weight using the Watson formula based on age, sex, height and weight.
Steps to Distance & Calories Calculator
Enter step count, height (auto-derives stride length) and body weight to estimate distance walked (km / mi), stride length, calories burned and your daily activity tier.
Glycemic Load (GL) Calculator
Enter a food's glycemic index (GI) and grams of carbs per serving to compute glycemic load GL = GI × carbs ÷ 100 — a better predictor of real blood-sugar response than GI alone.
HbA1c ↔ Average Blood Glucose (eAG) Converter
Convert HbA1c (%) to estimated average glucose (eAG) in both mg/dL and mmol/L — and back again — to help diabetes and prediabetes patients read their lab reports.
FFMI (Fat-Free Mass Index) Calculator
Enter height, weight and body-fat percentage to compute Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI) and the height-adjusted FFMI used to gauge muscularity.
Ideal Body Weight Calculator (Devine / Robinson / Miller / Hamwi)
Enter height and sex to compare the four classic ideal-body-weight formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi), with their average and a ±10 % healthy-weight band.
APGAR Newborn Score Calculator
Select 0–2 points for each of the five APGAR signs (Appearance / Pulse / Grimace / Activity / Respiration) to get the total APGAR score (0–10) and clinical band (normal / moderately depressed / severely depressed).
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Calculator
Pick eye-opening (1–4), verbal (1–5) and motor (1–6) responses to compute the Glasgow Coma Scale total (3–15) with mild / moderate / severe banding.
Pulse Pressure Calculator (PP = SBP − DBP)
Enter systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure; the tool returns the pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure (MAP), then classifies the result as low / normal / elevated using the < 40, 40–60 and > 60 mmHg bands — the textbook signal for cardiovascular risk on a routine BP report.
eGFR Calculator (Kidney Function, CKD-EPI 2021)
Enter serum creatinine, age and sex; the tool applies the 2021 NKF / ASN-recommended CKD-EPI formula (race-free) to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and classifies the result into CKD stages G1–G5 — the standard reading of a kidney-function lab report.
Creatinine Clearance Calculator (Cockcroft–Gault)
Enter age, weight, serum creatinine and sex; the tool applies the 1976 Cockcroft–Gault formula to estimate creatinine clearance (CrCl, mL/min) — still the FDA- and EMA-required formula for renal dose adjustment in most drug labels.
Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator (WHtR)
Enter waist circumference and height in any units; the tool returns the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and classifies it against the universal "keep your waist to less than half your height" cut-off (< 0.5) — a more sensitive central-obesity signal than BMI.
Pediatric Maintenance Fluid Calculator (Holliday-Segar)
Computes the pediatric maintenance IV fluid rate (mL/hr and mL/day) from body weight using the Holliday-Segar 4-2-1 rule — the standard since the original 1957 publication.
Friedewald LDL Cholesterol Calculator
Enter total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides; the Friedewald equation (LDL = TC − HDL − TG / 5 or / 2.2 SI) estimates LDL-C and grades the result by NCEP ATP III risk bands.
Weight-Loss Timeline Calculator (Calorie Deficit)
Enter your current weight, target weight and daily calorie deficit; the tool uses the "≈ 3 500 kcal per lb of body fat" rule of thumb to project the number of weeks and the expected date you will reach your goal — a sanity check for setting a sustainable pace.
Sweat Rate Calculator (Hydration)
Enter pre / post-exercise body weight, fluids consumed and session length; the tool returns sweat rate per hour (L/h) and a suggested fluid intake every 15 minutes per the ACSM hydration guidelines — used by runners, cyclists, footballers and recruits.
Standard Drinks Calculator
Enter a drink's volume (ml) and alcohol content (ABV %); the tool converts to standard drinks using each region's definition (US 14 g, UK 8 g, AU/HK 10 g, JP 20 g of pure alcohol) and compares with WHO and national low-risk guidelines (e.g. ≤ 10 drinks/week).
Body Roundness Index (BRI) Calculator
Enter height and waist circumference; the tool applies the Thomas (2013) Body Roundness Index BRI = 364.2 − 365.5·√(1 − ((WC/2π) ⁄ (0.5·h))²). BRI tracks visceral fat and metabolic-disease risk more closely than BMI — a JAMA 2024 study linked BRI to cardiovascular mortality.
Visual Acuity Converter (Snellen ⇄ 6/6 ⇄ LogMAR ⇄ Decimal)
Enter visual acuity in Snellen (20/20, 20/40, etc.), metric Snellen (6/6, 6/12), LogMAR or decimal; the tool returns the other three formats with reference thresholds for driving licences and the legal-blindness cut-off — the standard conversion for ophthalmology, optometry and driving / occupational medicals.
Burn Surface Area (Rule of Nines, %TBSA)
Tick the burned regions (head, anterior / posterior torso, arms, legs, perineum) and the patient age group (adult / child); the tool applies Wallace's Rule of Nines to return total body-surface-area burned (%TBSA) and shows the Parkland fluid-resuscitation target — the standard field tool in emergency medicine, fire-rescue and first-aid.
Net Carbs Calculator (Keto / Low-Carb)
Enter total carbohydrates, dietary fibre and sugar alcohols (per serving); the tool returns Net Carbs = total carbs − fibre − ½ × sugar alcohols. The standard keto / low-carb / diabetic-diet metric for absorbable carbs per serving.
Cardiac Output Calculator (CO / Cardiac Index)
Enter heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV); the tool computes cardiac output Q = HR × SV (L/min) and, given body surface area (BSA), the cardiac index CI = Q / BSA. Core hemodynamic math for emergency medicine, cardiology and nursing.
Katch-McArdle BMR Calculator (Lean Mass)
Enter weight and body-fat percentage; the tool returns BMR via the Katch-McArdle formula (BMR = 370 + 21.6 × lean body mass in kg) and TDEE after an activity multiplier. More accurate than Mifflin-St Jeor for lean and athletic body types where fat mass varies widely.
Pediatric Weight-Based Drug Dose Calculator (mg ⁄ kg)
Enter the child's weight (kg), prescribed dose (mg ⁄ kg ⁄ dose or mg ⁄ kg ⁄ day), dosing frequency and adult-equivalent maximum; the tool returns the per-dose and total-daily amounts and flags when the adult cap is exceeded. The bread-and-butter weight-based dosing framework used in paediatrics worldwide.