Barbell plate calculator
Enter a target weight and get the plates to load on each side of the bar, in kilograms or pounds, using only the plates your gym has.
| Plate (kg) | Per side |
|---|---|
| 25 | 1 |
| 15 | 1 |
How it loads the bar
The calculator subtracts the bar, halves what is left for each side, then fills it with the heaviest plates first. Putting the biggest plates nearest the collar is the standard way to load, and it uses the fewest plates.
If your plates cannot make the exact number, it loads the closest weight at or below the target and shows how far short it lands, so you can add a fractional plate or adjust the target.
Common plate sets
| Unit | Typical plates |
|---|---|
| kg | 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25 |
| lb | 45, 35, 25, 10, 5, 2.5 |
Questions
What does a standard Olympic barbell weigh?
A men’s Olympic bar is 20 kg (45 lb) and a women’s bar is 15 kg (35 lb). Many gyms also have lighter training bars, so check the one you use before loading.
Why does the calculator show plates per side?
You load the same plates on both ends, so the plan is half the weight above the bar on each side. That also keeps the bar balanced.
What if my gym has different plates?
Change the available plates field to match what is on the rack. The calculator uses the heaviest plates first and tells you how far short the closest load lands.
Load the bar, then log the set.
Fortis keeps every session's weights and reps in one place and charts how each lift is trending.
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