Barbell plate calculator
Type the total weight you're after. We'll show you exactly which plates go on each side of the bar.
What goes on the bar
20 kg bar + 20 kg of plates on each side
Heaviest plates go on first, nearest the middle. Load both sides the same.
Plate loading chart (kg)
Common weights on a 20 kg bar, plates per side.
| Total | Each side |
|---|---|
| 40 kg | 10 |
| 50 kg | 15 |
| 60 kg | 20 |
| 70 kg | 25 |
| 80 kg | 25 + 5 |
| 90 kg | 25 + 10 |
| 100 kg | 25 + 15 |
| 110 kg | 25 + 20 |
| 120 kg | 25 + 25 |
| 140 kg | 25 + 25 + 10 |
| 160 kg | 25 + 25 + 20 |
| 180 kg | 25 + 25 + 25 + 5 |
How to load a barbell
Work out the plates for one side: take your target, subtract the bar, then halve it. For 80 kg on a 20 kg bar, that's 30 kg per side, so one 25 and one 5.
Slide the biggest plates on first, then the smaller ones, and finish with a collar. Load one side, then the other, so the bar doesn't tip off the rack.
Not sure what to lift? Try the one-rep max calculator to find your working weights.
Frequently asked questions
Does the bar count towards the weight?
Yes. When people say they lifted 100 kg, that includes the bar. A standard Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg (45 lb), so 100 kg means 40 kg of plates on each side.
How much does an Olympic barbell weigh?
A men's Olympic bar is 20 kg (about 45 lb). A women's Olympic bar is 15 kg (about 35 lb). Technique and training bars are often 10 kg or lighter, so check the end of the bar or ask staff if you're not sure.
What colour are weight plates?
Competition plates follow a colour code: red 25 kg, blue 20 kg, yellow 15 kg, green 10 kg, white 5 kg. Smaller change plates are usually grey or black. Many gyms use all-black plates, so always read the number.
What does "1 plate", "2 plates" or "3 plates" mean?
It's gym shorthand for how many of the biggest plates are on each side. In kg gyms that's 20 kg plates: 1 plate is 60 kg, 2 plates is 100 kg, 3 plates is 140 kg. In lb gyms it's 45 lb plates: 135, 225 and 315 lb.
Should I use collars?
Yes, especially for squats and presses. Spring clips weigh almost nothing; competition collars weigh 2.5 kg each. Tick "Include collars" above if yours are the heavy kind.
Your Gyde tracks every lift, sets your working weights and moves them on session by session. No gym maths needed.
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