How Strength Scores Are Calculated

Samenvatting

Strength scoring formulas compare powerlifting performance across different bodyweights and sexes. Instead of raw totals, they produce a single number that answers: “pound for pound, how strong are you?” The three most common systems are Wilks (1995), Wilks-2 (2020), and DOTS (2019).

Hoe het werkt

All three formulas share the same basic structure: divide your powerlifting total by a bodyweight-dependent polynomial, then multiply by a scaling constant. The polynomial is fitted to competitive data so that a given score means roughly the same “level” regardless of whether you weigh 60 kg or 120 kg.

• Wilks (1995) — the original, developed by Robert Wilks (Powerlifting Australia). A 5th-degree polynomial with a 500× multiplier. Used historically by the IPF and most federations.
• Wilks-2 (2020) — an update by Robert Wilks with rebalanced coefficients and a 600× multiplier. Better alignment between men’s and women’s scores, and improved accuracy at extreme bodyweights.
• DOTS (2019) — created by Tim Konertz (BVDK, Germany). A 4th-degree polynomial with a 500× multiplier. Designed to fix bias at extreme bodyweights. Adopted by the BVDK and other federations.

The formulas

Wilks polynomial (5th degree)

denom = a + b×BW + c×BW² + d×BW³ + e×BW⁴ + f×BW⁵

Wilks score = Total × 500 / denom

Wilks-2 polynomial (5th degree, 600× multiplier)

Same polynomial structure, new coefficients fitted to 2011–2019 IPF championship data.

Wilks-2 score = Total × 600 / denom

DOTS polynomial (4th degree)

denom = A + B×BW + C×BW² + D×BW³ + E×BW⁴

DOTS score = Total × 500 / denom

Strength level classification

Strength levels are based on Wilks score and approximate percentiles among trained lifters:

Uitgewerkt voorbeeld

Invoer uitgelegd

• Sex — male or female. Each scoring system uses different polynomial coefficients for each sex.
• Bodyweight — your body weight in kg or lbs. This is the key variable in the scoring polynomial.
• Powerlifting total — the sum of your best squat, bench press, and deadlift (in competition or training).
• Individual lifts (optional) — squat, bench, and deadlift separately, for per-lift Wilks breakdown.

Uitvoer uitgelegd

• Wilks score — the primary output, most widely recognised in the powerlifting community
• Wilks-2 score — the 2020 update, scores ~20% higher than original Wilks due to the 600× multiplier
• DOTS score — an alternative that handles extreme bodyweights more fairly
• Strength level — Beginner through World Class classification based on Wilks score
• BW ratio — total divided by bodyweight (a simpler “how many times your bodyweight” metric)
• Percentile — estimated ranking among trained lifters based on Wilks score

Aannames en beperkingen

• Drug-tested vs untested — strength level thresholds are derived from drug-tested competitions. Untested lifters may exceed these benchmarks more easily.
• Competition vs gym lifts — competition totals follow strict judging standards (depth, pause, lockout). Gym totals may not be directly comparable.
• Bodyweight range — the polynomials are fitted to competitive data roughly in the 40–200 kg range. Scores at extreme bodyweights outside this range may be less meaningful.
• Single-ply / multi-ply equipment — these scores are designed for raw (unequipped) or single-ply lifting. Multi-ply equipped totals will produce inflated scores.
• Age not accounted for — none of these formulas adjust for age. A 20-year-old and a 60-year-old with the same total and bodyweight get the same score.
• Scores are relative — a Wilks score of 400 means different things in different eras as the overall talent pool changes.

Verificatie

All values verified by manual polynomial calculation using the official coefficients.