Barbell Plate Loading Calculator

Step-by-step

1. Per side = (target − bar) / 2 = (225 − 45) / 2 = 90.00 lb.
2. Greedy plate decomposition with denominations: 45, 35, 25, 10, 5, 2.5.
3. Plate count → 2×45.

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

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