Plate Loading Calculator

About this calculator

Loading a barbell to an exact target weight means working out which combination of plates, added symmetrically to each side, gets you there — a small puzzle every lifter solves at the rack. The bar itself has a fixed weight (typically 20 kg or 45 lb for a standard Olympic bar), so the remaining weight must be split evenly between the two sides and built from the plate sizes available in a standard set (such as 25/20/15/10/5/2.5 kg or 45/35/25/10/5/2.5 lb).

This calculator takes your target weight, bar weight, and unit and works out the plates to load per side using a greedy largest-plate-first approach, the same logic lifters use instinctively. It's a practical tool for strength trainees, powerlifters, and gym-goers loading a barbell for squats, deadlifts, or bench press, especially useful when jumping to an odd target weight or working with an unfamiliar gym's plate inventory.