How much does a barbell weigh?

This calculator assumes 45 lb for a bar in pounds and 20 kg for a bar in kilograms, the standard men's Olympic bar. Many women's bars weigh 15 kg, and other bars vary, so check yours.

What plates do I need for 225 lb?

On a 45 lb bar, 2 × 45 on each side.

What plates do I need for 315 lb?

On a 45 lb bar, 3 × 45 on each side.

Why can't the calculator make my exact weight?

Every jump has to be a pair of plates, one on each side, so the smallest step is twice the smallest plate: 5 lb with 2.5 lb plates, or 2.5 kg with 1.25 kg plates. Anything between those steps cannot be loaded exactly.

Barbell plate calculator (lb and kg)

Type the weight you want on the bar. You get the plates for each side, largest first, and the closest weight you can load when the plates cannot make it exactly.

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See your setup in four steps

Free, no account. The answer updates as you type.

Target weight (lb)Assumes a 45 lb bar and 45, 35, 25, 10, 5 and 2.5 lb plates.

45 lb× 2per side

How the plates are worked out

Take away the bar, halve what is left, then fill each side with the heaviest plate that still fits and repeat with the next size down.

Pounds assume a 45 lb bar with 45, 35, 25, 10, 5 and 2.5 lb plates. Kilograms assume a 20 kg bar with 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 kg plates. Collars are not counted.

When the plates cannot make the number exactly, the calculator says so and shows the closest weight it can load below it.

A worked example

225 lb: 225 - 45 = 180, and half of that is 90 lb a side: 2 × 45.

100 kg: 100 - 20 = 80, and half of that is 40 kg a side: 25, 15.

Reference tables

Plates on each side, 45 lb bar
Total weight	Each side
95 lb	25
135 lb	45
155 lb	45, 10
185 lb	45, 25
205 lb	45, 35
225 lb	2 × 45
245 lb	2 × 45, 10
275 lb	2 × 45, 25
315 lb	3 × 45
365 lb	3 × 45, 25
405 lb	4 × 45
455 lb	4 × 45, 25
495 lb	5 × 45

Plates on each side, 20 kg bar
Total weight	Each side
40 kg	10
60 kg	20
70 kg	25
80 kg	25, 5
100 kg	25, 15
120 kg	2 × 25
140 kg	2 × 25, 10
160 kg	2 × 25, 20
180 kg	3 × 25, 5
200 kg	3 × 25, 15
220 kg	4 × 25

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Questions

How much does a barbell weigh?: This calculator assumes 45 lb for a bar in pounds and 20 kg for a bar in kilograms, the standard men's Olympic bar. Many women's bars weigh 15 kg, and other bars vary, so check yours.
What plates do I need for 225 lb?: On a 45 lb bar, 2 × 45 on each side.
What plates do I need for 315 lb?: On a 45 lb bar, 3 × 45 on each side.
Why can't the calculator make my exact weight?: Every jump has to be a pair of plates, one on each side, so the smallest step is twice the smallest plate: 5 lb with 2.5 lb plates, or 2.5 kg with 1.25 kg plates. Anything between those steps cannot be loaded exactly.

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