Free lifting calculator
Barbell plate calculator
Enter a target barbell weight and see which standard plates to load on each side for common pound or kilogram bars, including any remainder.
Reviewed March 19, 2026
Plates shown per side
Each side
90 lb in plates per side.
What this result means
Enter the total target weight, bar weight, and unit. The calculator subtracts the bar, divides the remaining load between both sides, and returns the fewest standard plates per side.
Weight per side = (target weight − bar weight) ÷ 2.
The total includes the bar
A target of 135 lb with a 45 lb bar leaves 90 lb for plates, or 45 lb per side. That is one 45 lb plate on each end.
Olympic bars and specialty bars vary. Use the actual bar weight at your gym rather than assuming every bar is 45 lb or 20 kg.
When the exact load is unavailable
The calculator reports any remainder after using the selected plate set. Choose the closest lower load when technique or programming requires avoiding an overshoot.
Collars are normally omitted unless their weight is known and material to the target.
Frequently asked questions
Do you count the bar in barbell weight?
Yes. The displayed target should be total weight, including the bar and plates.
How much is one 45 plate on each side?
With a 45 lb bar, one 45 lb plate per side totals 135 lb.
What is a standard Olympic bar weight?
Many common bars are 20 kg or 45 lb, but 15 kg, 35 lb, technique, and specialty bars also exist.
Sources and assumptions
From plate math to training memory
Remember the load after the bar is racked.
LogFast records the completed weight beside your sets and exercise history so next time starts with a useful default, not another calculation.
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