Plate Calculator
Enter a target weight to see exactly which plates go on each side of the bar. Works in pounds or kilograms, with any bar weight and the plates your gym actually has.
How the plate math works
A loaded barbell weighs the bar plus everything on both sleeves. Since both sides must match, the weight per side is:
(target weight − bar weight) ÷ 2
The calculator then finds the combination of your available plates that adds up to that number with the fewest plates. Fewer plates means faster loading and less to strip between sets.
Common plate sets
- Pounds: 45, 35, 25, 10, 5, and 2.5 lb are typical in US gyms. Some gyms also have 55 lb plates or 1.25 lb change plates.
- Kilograms: 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5, and 1.25 kg are standard. Fractional 0.5 kg plates allow 1 kg jumps.
Tap a plate to remove it if your gym doesn't have it. If a weight can't be made exactly, the calculator tells you and loads the closest lighter weight.
Loading tips
- Load the heaviest plates first, closest to the collar.
- Use clips on both sides, especially for pressing.
- Unload alternately, one plate from each side at a time, so the bar doesn't tip off the rack.
Planning a session? The warm-up calculator builds your ramp-up sets with plates per side, and the 1RM calculator turns percentages into weights.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Olympic barbell weigh?+
A standard men's Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg (about 44 lb), and most US gyms treat their bars as 45 lb. Women's Olympic bars are 15 kg (about 33 lb). Technique bars, EZ bars, trap bars, and specialty bars vary, so check the bar or ask your gym and enter the actual weight.
How do I calculate plates per side?+
Subtract the bar weight from your target, then divide by two. For 225 lb on a 45 lb bar, that's (225 − 45) ÷ 2 = 90 lb per side, which is two 45 lb plates. The calculator does this for you and picks the fewest plates.
Why can't the calculator hit my exact weight?+
Every change has to be made in pairs, so the smallest jump is twice your lightest plate. With 2.5 lb plates you can only hit weights in 5 lb steps. The calculator shows the closest weight below your target; turning on smaller plates such as 1.25 lb or 0.5 kg helps.
Should I count collars in the total?+
Standard spring clips weigh very little and are usually ignored. Competition collars weigh 2.5 kg each, so if you use them, add 5 kg to the bar weight field.
Are bumper plates the same weight as iron plates?+
Yes, a 20 kg bumper weighs the same as a 20 kg iron plate. Bumpers are just wider, so you may fit fewer on the bar. Gym plates can also be off from their labeled weight by a small amount.
See your plates while you log
When you enter a barbell weight in Gainr, the workout screen shows the plates to load on each side. Log the set, and your history and PRs update automatically.
Free logging and progress charts · 14-day Coach preview