Barbell Plate Loading Calculator
Plate breakdown per side: 45 / 35 / 25 / 10 / 5 / 2.5 lb (or 25 / 20 / 15 / 10 / 5 / 2.5 / 1.25 kg).
Result
General calculation reads
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How to use this calculator
- Enter target total weight (with bar).
- Enter bar weight (45 lb or 20 kg standard).
- Pick unit.
- Read per-side plate count.
About this calculator
Loading a barbell is a greedy bin-pack: per-side weight = (target − bar) / 2, then decompose using available plate denominations starting with the heaviest. A 45-lb Olympic bar to 225 lb total = (225 − 45) / 2 = 90 lb per side = 1×45 + 1×25 + 1×10 + 2×5 (wait — better: 2×45 = 90 cleanly). The greedy algorithm always finds the shortest plate count for standard denominations. For unusual targets like 220 or 215, you may need fractional plates (2.5 or 1.25 in kg).
Frequently asked
Why greedy?+
Show my plate progression?+
Bumper plates only?+
Why 1.25 kg micro-plates?+
Bar slightly heavier than nominal?+
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