What is a good Wilks score?

A Wilks score above 300 is generally considered strong for competitive lifters. Scores between 250–300 are typical for intermediate lifters, while 350+ is entering elite territory.

Is Wilks still used in competitions?

Some local and legacy federations still use it, but major international bodies like the IPF have transitioned to GL Points (IPF Points).

Should I use Wilks or DOTS?

You should use the system your federation officially adopts. DOTS is currently very popular in US-based non-IPF federations, while Wilks is often used for historical comparisons.

Can beginners use a Wilks calculator?

Yes, but it’s most meaningful once you train seriously and have established a one-rep max for the squat, bench, and deadlift.

Why is my Wilks score lower than expected?

Bodyweight scaling in the Wilks formula often penalizes heavier lifters relative to their absolute totals, as it is designed to measure relative strength rather than raw power.

Wilks Calculator (Powerlifting Score Explained Clearly)

Wilks Calculator (What It Does)

A Wilks score calculator compares powerlifting strength across different bodyweights. Instead of asking “Who lifted more weight?”, Wilks asks: Who lifted more relative to their bodyweight?

That’s why Wilks is used to rank lifters fairly in many competitions. Higher Wilks = stronger relative performance.

What Is the Wilks Score?

The Wilks score is a coefficient-based formula that adjusts a lifter’s total lift based on bodyweight.

It allows:

Lightweight lifters to compete fairly with heavyweights
Rankings across weight classes
Objective comparison without bias

Wilks Formula Explained :

The Wilks formula uses:

Bodyweight (kg)
Gender-specific coefficients
Total lifted weight (kg)

Simplified logic:

1️⃣ Calculate a coefficient from bodyweight

2️⃣ Multiply coefficient × total lifted

You never calculate this manually — a wilks calculator does it instantly.

How to Calculate Wilks Score (Step-by-Step)

To calculate Wilks score, you need: Bodyweight (kg) and your best squat, bench, deadlift (kg).

Step 1: Add your three lifts = Total

Step 2: Enter bodyweight + total into a Wilks calculator

Step 3: Get your Wilks score

Wilks vs IPF Calculator vs DOT Calculator

This is where most websites completely fail. If you’re lifting today, Wilks is historical context — not always competition standard.

Wilks

• Older formula
• Widely known
• No longer used by IPF

IPF (GL Points)

• Official IPF standard
• Updated coefficients
• Better fairness

DOTS

• Modern alternative
• Popular in US federations
• Smoother scaling

Powerlifting Calculator: Which One Should You Use?

Goal	Best Calculator
IPF competition	IPF calculator
US meets	DOT calculator
Legacy comparison	Wilks calculator
Online rankings	Depends on federation

Wilks Score Benchmarks

While standards vary, rough references:

250–300 → Intermediate
300–350 → Advanced
350+ → Elite

These are contextual, not absolute.

Common Misunderstandings

❌ Wilks is NOT a medical or fitness score

❌ Higher bodyweight does NOT guarantee higher Wilks

❌ Wilks ≠ DOTS ≠ IPF

❌ Gym totals ≠ competition totals

Most calculator pages never clarify this — leading to confusion.

India, UK & USA – Federation Reality Check

India

Mixed federations. Wilks still seen in local meets.

IPF-affiliated federations dominate. GL Points preferred.

USA

DOTS widely used. Wilks mostly for legacy comparison.

Wilks vs Shapiro-Wilk Calculator

Many users confuse: Wilks calculator (powerlifting) and Shapiro-Wilk calculator (statistics test). They are completely unrelated.

Wilks → strength comparison

Shapiro-Wilk test → data normality

Final Verdict: Is the Wilks Calculator Still Useful?

Yes — with context. A Wilks calculator is best used for:

• Historical comparison
• Cross-weight-class analysis
• Training benchmarks

But for official rankings, always defer to your federation’s standard.