Plate Calculator
Instantly calculate which plates to load on your barbell. Never count plates in your head again.
Dernière mise à jour : Mars 2026
How many plates do I need for a certain weight?
For 100kg with Olympic barbell (20kg): load 2×20kg plates per side. For 225lb: 2×45lb per side. Enter any weight in the calculator below to see exactly which plates to load.
How Much Weight Is 1–6 Plates on Each Side?
On a standard 45 lb Olympic barbell, “one plate” means one 45 lb plate on each side: 1 plate is 135 lb, 2 plates 225 lb, 3 plates 315 lb, 4 plates 405 lb, 5 plates 495 lb, 6 plates 585 lb total. With a 20 kg bar and 20 kg plates, 1 plate per side is 60 kg and each extra pair adds 40 kg — up to 260 kg at 6 plates.
Calculate Your Plates
Enter your target weight to see which plates to load
Uses standard Olympic plates for accurate calculations
Standard Olympic Plates
Metric (kg): 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25
Imperial (lb): 45, 35, 25, 10, 5, 2.5
Note: Standard Olympic barbells weigh 20kg (45lb) for men and 15kg (35lb) for women. The calculator shows plates needed per side of the barbell.
Ne calculez pas manuellement à chaque fois
Arvo suggère le poids exact et les disques pour chaque série, basé sur votre performance réelle.
Related Tools
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Dive deeper into strength training with our comprehensive guides and related tools.
Répartitions de Poids Populaires
Découvrez exactement quels disques charger pour les poids les plus courants :
Metric (kg)
40 kg
1×10 /side
How to load 40 kg →
50 kg
1×15 /side
How to load 50 kg →
60 kg
1×20 /side
How to load 60 kg →
70 kg
1×25 /side
How to load 70 kg →
80 kg
1×20 + 1×10 /side
How to load 80 kg →
90 kg
1×25 + 1×10 /side
How to load 90 kg →
100 kg
2×20 /side
How to load 100 kg →
110 kg
1×25 + 1×20 /side
How to load 110 kg →
120 kg
1×25 + 1×25 /side
How to load 120 kg →
140 kg
1×25 + 1×20 + 1×15 /side
How to load 140 kg →
150 kg
1×25 + 2×20 /side
How to load 150 kg →
160 kg
2×25 + 1×20 /side
How to load 160 kg →
180 kg
2×25 + 1×20 + 1×10 /side
How to load 180 kg →
200 kg
2×25 + 2×20 /side
How to load 200 kg →
220 kg
2×25 + 2×20 + 1×10 /side
How to load 220 kg →
Imperial (lb)
135 lb
1×45 /side
How to load 135 lb →
155 lb
1×45 + 1×10 /side
How to load 155 lb →
185 lb
1×45 + 1×25 /side
How to load 185 lb →
225 lb
2×45 /side
How to load 225 lb →
245 lb
2×45 + 1×10 /side
How to load 245 lb →
275 lb
2×45 + 1×25 /side
How to load 275 lb →
315 lb
3×45 /side
How to load 315 lb →
365 lb
3×45 + 1×25 /side
How to load 365 lb →
405 lb
4×45 /side
How to load 405 lb →
495 lb
4×45 + 1×25 + 1×5 /side
How to load 495 lb →
500 lb
4×45 + 1×25 + 1×5 + 1×2.5 /side
How to load 500 lb →
Standard Olympic Plates
Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting use standardized plate weights. Understanding these helps you quickly calculate loads:
Metric System (kg)
Imperial System (lb)
Barbell Types and Weights
Different barbells have different weights. Make sure you're using the correct bar weight in your calculations:
| Type | Weight | Length | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Olympic Bar | 20kg / 45lb | 2.2m / 7.2ft | Standard for all compound lifts |
| Women's Olympic Bar | 15kg / 35lb | 2.01m / 6.6ft | Smaller diameter grip, shorter length |
| Trap/Hex Bar | 20-32kg / 45-70lb | Varies | Deadlifts, shrugs - weight varies by model |
| EZ Curl Bar | 7-11kg / 15-25lb | 1.2m / 4ft | Bicep curls, tricep work |
| Safety Squat Bar | 25-32kg / 55-70lb | 2.2m / 7ft | Easier on shoulders for squats |
Common Barbell Loads
Here are the most common barbell loads and exactly which plates to put on each side:
| Imperial (lb) | |
|---|---|
| Total Weight | Bar + plates per side |
| 135 lb | 45 lb bar + 1×45 lb per side |
| 185 lb | 45 lb bar + 1×45 + 1×25 lb per side |
| 225 lb | 45 lb bar + 2×45 lb per side |
| 275 lb | 45 lb bar + 2×45 + 1×25 lb per side |
| 315 lb | 45 lb bar + 3×45 lb per side |
| Metric (kg) | |
|---|---|
| Total Weight | Bar + plates per side |
| 60 kg | 20 kg bar + 1×20 kg per side |
| 80 kg | 20 kg bar + 1×20 + 1×10 kg per side |
| 100 kg | 20 kg bar + 2×20 kg per side |
| 140 kg | 20 kg bar + 1×25 + 1×20 + 1×15 kg per side |
| 180 kg | 20 kg bar + 2×25 + 1×20 + 1×10 kg per side |
Loading Tips
- Always load plates evenly on both sides to prevent tipping
- Use collars/clips to secure plates, especially for dynamic movements
- Load largest plates first (closest to sleeves), smallest last
- Double-check your math before attempting heavy lifts
- Consider using fractional plates (0.5-1.25kg) for steady progression
Progressive Loading Strategy
How you add weight over time is critical for long-term progress. Here are proven strategies:
Linear Progression
Add 2.5kg (upper body) or 5kg (lower body) each session when you complete all prescribed reps
Double Progression
First increase reps within a range (e.g., 8→12), then add weight and drop back to lower reps
Microloading
Use 0.5-1.25kg fractional plates for slower, steady gains when regular jumps stall
💡 When progress stalls with regular plates, microplates can extend your progression by months.
Safety Checklist for Loading
Proper loading technique prevents accidents. Run through this checklist before every heavy lift:
Prevents plates sliding off during the lift — critical for dynamic movements
Uneven load causes bar tilt and puts asymmetric stress on your body
Loose plates can shift mid-lift, changing the weight distribution
Mental math errors are common — misloading can cause failed lifts or injury
Always have a bailout option for heavy compound lifts
Common Loading Errors to Avoid
These mistakes are more common than you'd think — even experienced lifters make them:
❌ Forgetting the bar weight
✅ Always count: bar weight + plates on both sides combined. The bar is part of the total.
❌ Mental math mistakes
✅ Use this calculator or double-check with a training partner before heavy attempts.
❌ Using the wrong bar
✅ Verify bar weight before loading — commercial gyms often have bars of different weights.
❌ Mixing kg and lb plates
✅ Some gyms have both metric and imperial plates. Check the numbers before loading.
❌ Loading asymmetrically
✅ Always add plates to both sides alternately to prevent the bar from tipping.
Equipment Variations by Gym Type
Different gyms have different equipment. Know what to expect:
| Gym Type | Plates | Bars |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Gym | Often lb plates, may have limited microplate selection | Standard 45lb bars, may have women's bars available |
| Powerlifting Gym | Calibrated kg plates (accurate to ±10g), full microplate selection | Specialized power bars, deadlift bars, squat bars |
| CrossFit Box | Bumper plates (kg), often color-coded per IWF standards | Olympic bars, technique bars, various specialty bars |
| Home Gym | Varies widely — know your own equipment weights precisely | May have non-standard bars — weigh them once accurately |
💡 When visiting a new gym, spend a few minutes familiarizing yourself with their equipment before training.
Common Barbell Loading Myths Debunked
❌ All barbells weigh 20kg/45lb
✅ Bars vary: women's Olympic bar is 15kg, EZ bars are 7-11kg, trap bars are 20-32kg. Always check your specific bar's weight.
❌ Colored plates are just aesthetic
✅ Competition plate colors follow IWF standards for rapid identification: red (25kg), blue (20kg), yellow (15kg), green (10kg).
❌ You don't need to count plates carefully
✅ Loading errors are common and can cause imbalances or injuries. Always double-check before heavy lifts.
❌ Microplates are useless
✅ 0.5-1.25kg fractional plates allow gradual progression that's crucial for intermediate/advanced lifters who can't add 2.5kg weekly.
❌ The barbell doesn't count in the total
✅ The barbell is ALWAYS included in the total weight lifted. A 100kg squat means bar + plates = 100kg total.
Frequently Asked Questions
Comment utiliser le calculateur de disques ?
Entrez votre poids cible, sélectionnez votre type de barre (standard 20kg/45lb ou femme 15kg/35lb), et le calculateur vous montrera exactement quels disques charger de chaque côté de la barre.
Quels disques ce calculateur utilise-t-il ?
Le calculateur utilise des disques olympiques standard. Pour le système métrique : 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2,5 et 1,25 kg. Pour le système impérial : 45, 35, 25, 10, 5 et 2,5 lb.
Pourquoi ne puis-je pas atteindre certains poids ?
Certains poids sont impossibles à atteindre avec des disques standard. Par exemple, 101kg nécessite un disque de 0,5kg qui n'est pas standard. Le calculateur vous indiquera si votre poids cible ne peut pas être atteint avec les disques disponibles.
Combien pèse une barre olympique ?
Une barre olympique homme standard pèse 20kg (45lb). Une barre olympique femme pèse 15kg (35lb). Certaines barres spéciales (safety squat bar, trap bar) peuvent avoir des poids différents.
Les couleurs des disques sont-elles exactes ?
Les couleurs suivent le standard IWF (Fédération Internationale d'Haltérophilie) pour les disques de compétition : rouge pour 25kg, bleu pour 20kg, jaune pour 15kg, vert pour 10kg. Les disques de salle de sport peuvent toutefois varier.
Comment convertir entre kg et lb ?
Pour convertir des kg en lb, multipliez par 2,205 (ex. 100kg × 2,205 = 220,5lb). Pour convertir des lb en kg, multipliez par 0,453 (ex. 225lb × 0,453 = 102kg). Équivalences courantes : 20kg ≈ 45lb, 60kg ≈ 135lb, 100kg ≈ 225lb.
Quelle est la différence entre les bumper plates et les disques en fonte ?
Les bumper plates sont en caoutchouc avec un cœur en acier et peuvent être lâchés en toute sécurité — essentiels pour les mouvements olympiques. Les disques en fonte sont métalliques, plus compacts, mais peuvent endommager le sol s'ils sont lâchés. Les bumper plates suivent le code couleur IWF, les disques en fonte varient selon le fabricant.
Dois-je compter le poids des colliers de serrage ?
Les colliers à ressort standard pèsent environ 0,5kg (1lb) au total pour la paire — généralement négligeable. Les colliers de compétition pèsent 2,5kg chacun (5kg au total). Si vous utilisez des colliers lourds en compétition, intégrez-les dans le calcul du poids total.
Automatic Weight Tracking
This calculator helps you load the bar. Arvo tracks all your lifts automatically, calculates progressive overload, and tells you exactly what weight to use for each set.
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