Wilks Score Calculator
Wilks relative-strength score from bodyweight and total.
What it does
Wilks lets a 60 kg lifter compare with a 120 kg lifter. Raw totals favor heavy bodies, so the formula multiplies each total by a coefficient from a fifth order bodyweight polynomial. Equal Wilks means equal relative strength across classes.
The tool above runs classic Wilks in both unit systems. Enter bodyweight and total in kg or lb with the division, and it prints the score, the coefficient, and the raw multiple. The default 90 kg male totaling 500 kg scores 319.2 at coeff 0.6384.
The coefficients are official history. IPF formula documents tabulate the A to F constants matching these values exactly, and the IPF Points proposal traces Wilks to regression over about 10,000 lifters. Vanderburgh and Batterham validated the formula against world championship data in 1999.
Classic means dated. IPF used Wilks through 2018, then moved to IPF Points and GL Points for current events. The polynomial also bends outside roughly 40 to 202 kg for men, so the tool caps bodyweight there. Use Wilks for gym leaderboards and history, GL for today's platform.
How to use
- Pick metric (kg) or imperial (lb).
- Enter bodyweight.
- Enter the full power total.
- Pick the sex coefficient set.
- Read the Wilks score first, then coeff.
- Compare lifters across classes with the score.
Formula
- bw
- Bodyweight in kg, capped to valid polynomial range.
- total
- Squat plus bench plus deadlift in kg.
- a to f
- Sex specific polynomial constants, six per sex.
Classic Wilks coefficients per IPF tables (men A-F reversed to a-f). IPF used Wilks through 2018, then IPF Points and GL Points.
Worked example
Example: 90 kg male, 500 kg total
Metric defaults: 90 kg male totaling 500 kg. Imperial mirrors at 198.4 lb and 1,102.3 lb.
- Inputs: 90 kg male, 500 kg total.
- Powers: 90^2=8100 through 90^5=5,904,900,000.
- Denominator: -216.05+1463.46-19.35-829.11+460.49-76.23 = 783.22.
- Coeff: 500 / 783.22 = 0.6384.
- Score: 500 x 0.6384 = 319.2 at 5.56x bodyweight. Tool shows 319.2, 0.6384.
Reference table
| Lifter | Coeff | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 90 kg M, 500 total | 0.6384 | 319.2 |
| 100 kg M, 600 total | 0.6086 | 365.2 |
| 60 kg F, 300 total | 1.1149 | 334.5 |
| 60 kg M, 400 total | 0.4919 | 196.7 |
Limits
- Classic Wilks only. Current IPF events use GL Points.
- Full power totals only; single lifts mislead.
- Capped bodyweight ranges guard polynomial bends.
- Depth, judging, and equipment sit outside the number.
Common mistakes
- Mixing lb into the kg polynomial without converting.
- Using Wilks for single lift comparisons.
- Comparing Wilks with GL Points across eras.
- Exceeding the valid bodyweight range.
- Trusting gym totals with soft depth.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
60 kg female totaling 300 kg?
Denominator 448.476, coeff 1.1149. 300 x 1.1149 = 334.5 at 5x bodyweight.
100 kg male totaling 600 kg?
Denominator 821.572, coeff 0.6086. 600 x 0.6086 = 365.2 at 6x bodyweight.
Questions
How is Wilks figured?
Total times a bodyweight coefficient from a fifth order polynomial. A 90 kg male totaling 500 scores 319.2.
Wilks or GL Points?
Classic Wilks, used by IPF through 2018. Current IPF events use GL Points; Wilks stays for history and comparison.
Do men and women share coefficients?
Male and female polynomials differ; each has its own six coefficients. The tool picks by the sex selector.
What bodyweight range works?
About 40 to 201.9 kg for men and 26.5 to 154.5 kg for women. Outside, the polynomial bends away from sense.
What is the multiple line?
Total over bodyweight: 500/90 = 5.56x here. Simple but blind to the Wilks curve across classes.
Does Wilks rank single lifts?
No. Wilks compares across classes from full power totals; single lifts and cheated depth break the comparison.