Compare raw powerlifting strength across bodyweight classes with the Wilks score — free and instant.
| Wilks Score | Level |
|---|---|
| < 200 | Beginner |
| 200–300 | Novice |
| 300–400 | Intermediate |
| 400–500 | Advanced |
| 500+ | Elite |
Raw totals don't tell the whole story — a 500 kg total means something very different for a 60 kg lifter than for a 140 kg lifter. The Wilks score normalizes your total against your bodyweight so you can fairly compare strength across weight classes, or track your own progress as your bodyweight changes.
The Wilks coefficient is calculated from a polynomial regression fit to elite powerlifting performance data, separately for men and women. Your bodyweight is plugged into that polynomial to get a coefficient, which is then multiplied by your total lifted (squat + bench + deadlift, or any single-lift total) to produce your Wilks score.
Wilks was the original standard, but newer formulas like DOTS and IPF GL points have been developed to correct known biases in the original Wilks coefficients, especially at the extremes of the bodyweight range. Wilks remains widely used and understood, which is why it's still the most commonly referenced relative-strength score.
Track your Wilks score over time, not just your raw total. If your bodyweight increases but your Wilks score stays flat or drops, your relative strength hasn't actually improved — you're simply carrying more bodyweight to produce the same total. A rising Wilks score is a clearer signal of real strength progress than raw numbers alone.
A Wilks score above 400 is generally considered advanced for a raw, drug-tested lifter, and scores above 500 are elite territory. Most intermediate lifters who train consistently for a few years land somewhere in the 300–400 range.
Traditionally, Wilks is calculated from your full powerlifting total (squat + bench + deadlift). You can also use it on a single lift to compare relative strength on that lift alone, but be clear about which one you're comparing when benchmarking against others.
The Wilks formula uses separate polynomial coefficients for men and women because the underlying strength-to-bodyweight relationship in elite performance data differs by sex. Using the correct coefficient set for your sex is necessary for an accurate score.