How do I calculate barbell plates?
Subtract the 20 kg bar from your goal weight, then split the remaining weight in half. For example, 100 kg total means (100 − 20) ÷ 2 = 40 kg per side, such as a 25 kg plate plus a 15 kg plate on each sleeve.
Open the target-weight range below and find the exact number. The table assumes access to the plate sizes listed; substitutions are fine as long as both sides match.
20 kg barbell plate-loading lookup chart
20–200 kg total in 2.5 kg steps; all rows assume a 20 kg empty bar, matching plates on both ends, and no collars counted.
20–80 kg total
| Total | Each side | Plates on each side |
|---|---|---|
| 20 kg | 0 kg | Empty bar |
| 22.5 kg | 1.25 kg | 1.25 kg |
| 25 kg | 2.5 kg | 2.5 kg |
| 27.5 kg | 3.75 kg | 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 30 kg | 5 kg | 5 kg |
| 32.5 kg | 6.25 kg | 5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 35 kg | 7.5 kg | 5 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 37.5 kg | 8.75 kg | 5 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 40 kg | 10 kg | 10 kg |
| 42.5 kg | 11.25 kg | 10 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 45 kg | 12.5 kg | 10 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 47.5 kg | 13.75 kg | 10 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 50 kg | 15 kg | 15 kg |
| 52.5 kg | 16.25 kg | 15 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 55 kg | 17.5 kg | 15 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 57.5 kg | 18.75 kg | 15 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 60 kg | 20 kg | 20 kg |
| 62.5 kg | 21.25 kg | 20 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 65 kg | 22.5 kg | 20 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 67.5 kg | 23.75 kg | 20 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 70 kg | 25 kg | 25 kg |
| 72.5 kg | 26.25 kg | 25 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 75 kg | 27.5 kg | 25 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 77.5 kg | 28.75 kg | 25 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 80 kg | 30 kg | 25 kg + 5 kg |
82.5–140 kg total
| Total | Each side | Plates on each side |
|---|---|---|
| 82.5 kg | 31.25 kg | 25 kg + 5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 85 kg | 32.5 kg | 25 kg + 5 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 87.5 kg | 33.75 kg | 25 kg + 5 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 90 kg | 35 kg | 25 kg + 10 kg |
| 92.5 kg | 36.25 kg | 25 kg + 10 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 95 kg | 37.5 kg | 25 kg + 10 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 97.5 kg | 38.75 kg | 25 kg + 10 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 100 kg | 40 kg | 25 kg + 15 kg |
| 102.5 kg | 41.25 kg | 25 kg + 15 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 105 kg | 42.5 kg | 25 kg + 15 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 107.5 kg | 43.75 kg | 25 kg + 15 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 110 kg | 45 kg | 25 kg + 20 kg |
| 112.5 kg | 46.25 kg | 25 kg + 20 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 115 kg | 47.5 kg | 25 kg + 20 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 117.5 kg | 48.75 kg | 25 kg + 20 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 120 kg | 50 kg | 2 × 25 kg |
| 122.5 kg | 51.25 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 125 kg | 52.5 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 127.5 kg | 53.75 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 130 kg | 55 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 5 kg |
| 132.5 kg | 56.25 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 135 kg | 57.5 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 5 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 137.5 kg | 58.75 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 5 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 140 kg | 60 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 10 kg |
142.5–200 kg total
| Total | Each side | Plates on each side |
|---|---|---|
| 142.5 kg | 61.25 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 10 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 145 kg | 62.5 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 10 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 147.5 kg | 63.75 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 10 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 150 kg | 65 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 15 kg |
| 152.5 kg | 66.25 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 15 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 155 kg | 67.5 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 15 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 157.5 kg | 68.75 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 15 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 160 kg | 70 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 20 kg |
| 162.5 kg | 71.25 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 20 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 165 kg | 72.5 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 20 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 167.5 kg | 73.75 kg | 2 × 25 kg + 20 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 170 kg | 75 kg | 3 × 25 kg |
| 172.5 kg | 76.25 kg | 3 × 25 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 175 kg | 77.5 kg | 3 × 25 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 177.5 kg | 78.75 kg | 3 × 25 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 180 kg | 80 kg | 3 × 25 kg + 5 kg |
| 182.5 kg | 81.25 kg | 3 × 25 kg + 5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 185 kg | 82.5 kg | 3 × 25 kg + 5 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 187.5 kg | 83.75 kg | 3 × 25 kg + 5 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 190 kg | 85 kg | 3 × 25 kg + 10 kg |
| 192.5 kg | 86.25 kg | 3 × 25 kg + 10 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 195 kg | 87.5 kg | 3 × 25 kg + 10 kg + 2.5 kg |
| 197.5 kg | 88.75 kg | 3 × 25 kg + 10 kg + 2.5 kg + 1.25 kg |
| 200 kg | 90 kg | 3 × 25 kg + 15 kg |
Which plate weights does the chart assume?
The chart uses plate pairs of 25 kg, 20 kg, 15 kg, 10 kg, 5 kg, 2.5 kg and 1.25 kg where available, choosing larger discs first. Not every gym carries 1.25 kg plates or 25 kg discs; add equivalent smaller matched plates when needed.
The International Weightlifting Federation equipment specification confirms a common men's competition bar weighs 20 kg and lists regulated competition disc sizes, but competition collar weights and the full official disc range differ from this ordinary gym reference chart.
What if the bar is 15 kg or I use collars?
These answers no longer apply directly. Use the same formula with your actual bar weight and both collar weights: weight for each side = (desired total − bar weight − both collars) ÷ 2. For example, a 15 kg bar with no collars and 65 kg total needs 25 kg on each side.
Many weightlifting competition collars weigh 2.5 kg each, adding 5 kg to the total; always check your gym's equipment before using a calculated training weight.
Planning your next strength target
Try our one-rep-max estimate chart to compare completed sets, progressive-overload guide to plan safe attempts, and free workout log to record what you actually lifted.
How the chart was calculated
Each line is the sum of 20 kg for the bar and twice the listed per-side plates; all 73 rows are checked against the displayed target, assuming the exact plates shown are available. This tool is for gym planning, not a substitute for balancing and securing plates safely.