Barbell Weight & Plate Calculator
Enter the weight you want to lift and see exactly which plates to load on each side of the bar. Works with kg and lb plates, custom bar weights, and whatever plates your gym has available — and the plate ladders below answer the reverse question of how much a loaded barbell weighs.
Calculator
Load on each side
2 × 45 lbs
Total on the bar: 225 lbs including the 45 lbs bar.
How barbell plate math works
Plates always load in pairs — one on each side of the bar — so the calculation is: subtract the bar weight from your target weight, then divide by two to get the weight per side. Load the heaviest plates first, closest to the bar collars, and work down to the smallest.
For example, to lift 152.5 kg with a standard 20 kg bar: (152.5 − 20) ÷ 2 = 66.25 kg per side. That is two 25 kg plates, one 15 kg plate and one 1.25 kg plate on each side.
How much is X plates on each side?
When lifters say "two plates" they mean two 45 lb plates on each side of a 45 lb bar — 225 lbs in total. Every extra pair of 45s adds 90 lbs. Here is the full ladder:
| Plates per side (45 lb) | Total weight (lbs) | Total weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 plate | 135 lbs | 61.2 kg |
| 2 plates | 225 lbs | 102.1 kg |
| 3 plates | 315 lbs | 142.9 kg |
| 4 plates | 405 lbs | 183.7 kg |
| 5 plates | 495 lbs | 224.5 kg |
| 6 plates | 585 lbs | 265.4 kg |
| 7 plates | 675 lbs | 306.2 kg |
| 8 plates | 765 lbs | 347.0 kg |
| 9 plates | 855 lbs | 387.8 kg |
In metric gyms "one plate" means a 20 kg plate on each side of a 20 kg bar, so each pair of plates adds 40 kg:
| Plates per side (20 kg) | Total weight (kg) | Total weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 plate | 60 kg | 132.3 lbs |
| 2 plates | 100 kg | 220.5 lbs |
| 3 plates | 140 kg | 308.6 lbs |
| 4 plates | 180 kg | 396.8 lbs |
| 5 plates | 220 kg | 485.0 lbs |
Plate weights: kg to lbs
Kilogram and pound plates never line up exactly — a 20 kg plate is not a 45 lb plate. Use this table to convert between the standard denominations:
| kg plate | in lbs | lb plate | in kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 kg | 55.1 lbs | 45 lbs | 20.4 kg |
| 20 kg | 44.1 lbs | 35 lbs | 15.9 kg |
| 15 kg | 33.1 lbs | 25 lbs | 11.3 kg |
| 10 kg | 22.0 lbs | 10 lbs | 4.5 kg |
| 5 kg | 11.0 lbs | 5 lbs | 2.3 kg |
| 2.5 kg | 5.5 lbs | 2.5 lbs | 1.1 kg |
| 1.25 kg | 2.8 lbs |
Standard plate sets
Most gyms stock these plate denominations. If yours is missing a size (many home gyms have no 1.25 kg or 2.5 lb plates), toggle it off in the calculator above.
| Metric (kg) | Pounds (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25 | 45, 35, 25, 10, 5, 2.5 |
| Standard bar: 20 kg | Standard bar: 45 lbs |
Not sure what weight to aim for? Estimate your one rep max with the 1RM calculator, get your working weights from the 5/3/1 calculator, or pick a weight for a target effort with the RPE calculator. Ramping up to a heavy set? The warm-up calculator plans the whole ramp with a plate breakdown for every set.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate which plates to put on a barbell?
Subtract the bar weight from your target weight, divide the result by two to get the weight per side, then load the heaviest plates first. For example, for 100 kg with a 20 kg bar: (100 − 20) ÷ 2 = 40 kg per side, which is one 25 kg and one 15 kg plate on each side.
How do I calculate the total weight of a loaded barbell?
Add up the plates on one side, double that, and add the bar weight. A bar with a 25 kg and a 10 kg plate per side is (25 + 10) × 2 + 20 = 90 kg. In pounds, a bar with a 45 and a 25 per side is (45 + 25) × 2 + 45 = 185 lbs. The plate ladder tables on this page list the common totals at a glance.
How much does a standard barbell weigh?
A standard Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg (about 45 lbs). Women's Olympic bars weigh 15 kg (about 33 lbs), and many gyms also have lighter technique bars. If you are unsure, check the end cap of the bar or ask gym staff, then set the bar weight in the calculator.
What plate sizes do gyms usually have?
Metric gyms typically stock 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 kg plates. Gyms with pound plates typically stock 45, 35, 25, 10, 5 and 2.5 lb plates. You can toggle any plate size off in the calculator if your gym does not have it.
Why can't I load my exact target weight?
The smallest total increment you can add to a bar is twice your smallest plate, because plates load in pairs. With 1.25 kg plates the bar loads in 2.5 kg steps; with 2.5 lb plates it loads in 5 lb steps. When your target falls between steps, the calculator shows the closest weight below it and how far short that is.
Does this calculator work in both kg and lbs?
Yes. Switch between kg and lbs at the top of the calculator. Each unit has its own standard plate set and bar weight, and you can customize both.
How much is 2 plates on each side?
With 45 lb plates on a 45 lb bar, two plates on each side is 225 lbs (about 102 kg). One plate per side is 135 lbs, three plates is 315 lbs, and four plates is 405 lbs — every extra pair of 45s adds 90 lbs to the bar.
How many 45 lb plates do I need for 225 lbs?
Four plates — two on each side. 225 lbs minus the 45 lb bar leaves 180 lbs, which is 90 lbs per side, or two 45 lb plates on each side.
How much is 1 plate on each side in kg?
In a metric gym "one plate" usually means a 20 kg plate: one on each side of a 20 kg bar totals 60 kg (about 132 lbs). Two plates per side is 100 kg, three is 140 kg, and four is 180 kg.
How much is a 25 kg plate in pounds?
A 25 kg plate weighs about 55.1 lbs. A 20 kg plate is 44.1 lbs, a 15 kg plate is 33.1 lbs, and a 10 kg plate is 22 lbs — which is why kg-plate loads never line up exactly with lb-plate loads.
Skip the mental math mid-workout
The Hardy app has this plate calculator built into the workout tracker — tap any barbell set and see exactly what to load, using your own plates and bar. It also handles progression, suggested weights, and rest timers.
Download HardyBrowse Routines%20--%3e%3csvg%20version='1.1'%20id='Layer_1'%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns:xlink='http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20x='0px'%20y='0px'%20viewBox='0%200%20703%20223.4'%20style='enable-background:new%200%200%20703%20223.4;'%20xml:space='preserve'%3e%3cstyle%20type='text/css'%3e%20.st0{fill:%23FFFFFF;}%20.st1{opacity:0.1;fill:url(%23SVGID_1_);}%20.st2{opacity:0.1;fill:url(%23SVGID_2_);}%20.st3{opacity:0.1;fill:url(%23SVGID_3_);}%20.st4{opacity:0.1;fill:url(%23SVGID_4_);}%20%3c/style%3e%3ctitle%3esquare-logoAsset%202%3c/title%3e%3cg%20id='Layer_2_1_'%3e%3cg%20id='Layer_1-2'%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M185,116.1c0-33.9,23.7-63.1,59.5-63.1c12.3,0,22,4.3,28.5,10.2v-7.5h36.5v120.9h-36.5v-7.7%20c-6.5,6-16.2,10.4-28.5,10.4C208.7,179.2,185,149.9,185,116.1z%20M273,134.4v-37c-5.1-6.5-11.6-11.4-23-11.4%20c-16.4,0-27.3,13.8-27.3,30s10.9,30,27.3,30C261.5,146.1,268,141.2,273,134.4L273,134.4z'/%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M339.6,55.6h36.5v13.5c3.9-8.5,14.5-15,26.8-15c5,0,10,0.8,14.8,2.4l-5.6,34.1c-1-0.7-5.1-1.4-10.2-1.4%20c-8.5,0-19.8,2.4-25.9,10.9v76.4h-36.5V55.6z'/%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M423.7,116.1c0-33.9,23.7-63.1,59.5-63.1c12.3,0,22,4.3,28.5,10.2V0h36.5v176.5h-36.5v-7.7%20c-6.5,6-16.2,10.4-28.5,10.4C447.4,179.2,423.7,149.9,423.7,116.1z%20M511.7,134.4v-37c-5.1-6.5-11.6-11.4-23-11.4%20c-16.5,0-27.3,13.8-27.3,30s10.9,30,27.3,30C500.1,146.1,506.6,141.2,511.7,134.4L511.7,134.4z'/%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M590.1,223.4l23.5-53.9L563.2,55.6h39.9l30,74.7l29.7-74.7H703l-73.5,167.8H590.1z'/%3e%3cpolygon%20class='st0'%20points='168.5,72.1%20157.3,72.1%20157.3,4.8%20118.8,4.8%20118.8,72.1%2049.7,72.1%2049.7,4.8%2011.2,4.8%2011.2,72.1%200,72.1%200,108.6%2011.2,108.6%2011.2,176.5%2049.7,176.5%2049.7,108.6%20118.8,108.6%20118.8,176.5%20157.3,176.5%20157.3,108.6%20168.5,108.6%20'/%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='SVGID_1_'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%20x1='0'%20y1='135.685'%20x2='11.25'%20y2='135.685'%20gradientTransform='matrix(1%200%200%20-1%200%20226)'%3e%3cstop%20offset='0'%20style='stop-color:%23000000;stop-opacity:0'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20style='stop-color:%23000000'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3crect%20y='72.1'%20class='st1'%20width='11.2'%20height='36.5'/%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='SVGID_2_'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%20x1='168.54'%20y1='135.685'%20x2='157.29'%20y2='135.685'%20gradientTransform='matrix(1%200%200%20-1%200%20226)'%3e%3cstop%20offset='0'%20style='stop-color:%23000000;stop-opacity:0'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20style='stop-color:%23000000'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3crect%20x='157.3'%20y='72.1'%20class='st2'%20width='11.2'%20height='36.5'/%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='SVGID_3_'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%20x1='105.08'%20y1='135.685'%20x2='118.85'%20y2='135.685'%20gradientTransform='matrix(1%200%200%20-1%200%20226)'%3e%3cstop%20offset='0'%20style='stop-color:%23000000;stop-opacity:0'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20style='stop-color:%23000000'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3crect%20x='105.1'%20y='72.1'%20class='st3'%20width='13.8'%20height='36.5'/%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='SVGID_4_'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%20x1='63.11'%20y1='135.685'%20x2='49.7'%20y2='135.685'%20gradientTransform='matrix(1%200%200%20-1%200%20226)'%3e%3cstop%20offset='0'%20style='stop-color:%23000000;stop-opacity:0'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20style='stop-color:%23000000'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3crect%20x='49.7'%20y='72.1'%20class='st4'%20width='13.4'%20height='36.5'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
/r/HardyApp