What Is the Wilks Score?

The Wilks score is the standard formula for comparing powerlifting strength across body weights. It converts your squat + bench + deadlift total into a body-weight-normalized number: Wilks = total × coefficient(body weight, sex). Heavier lifters lift more absolute weight, so the coefficient compensates — a lighter lifter with the same total scores higher.

The Formula

The coefficient is 500 ÷ (a + bx + cx² + dx³ + ex⁴ + fx⁵), where x is body weight in kilograms and a–f are sex-specific constants from the classic 2003 Wilks coefficients. This calculator uses those original constants — the basis for most published strength standards and historical comparisons.

Benchmark Ranges

As a rough guide: 300+ is a solid club-lifting baseline, 400+ is state-competitive, 450+ approaches national elite, and 500+ is world-class. Elite women's thresholds sit roughly 30–50 points lower. Newer formulas (e.g., IPF GL points) have largely replaced Wilks in federations, but Wilks remains the most widely understood comparison.