IPF & Wilks Points
Turn totals into IPF GL and Wilks points
IPF GL, Wilks points and class tags FAQ
What does this IPF & Wilks calculator do?
It takes your bodyweight and powerlifting total and returns two common relative strength scores: IPF GL points (used by the IPF and affiliates) and the classic Wilks points. It also adds a simple strength class tag so you can see roughly where you sit.
What is the difference between IPF GL and Wilks?
Wilks is an older polynomial formula that was used by the IPF up to 2018. IPF GL is a newer Goodlift-based formula that uses updated data and separate constants for classic vs equipped lifting. Both aim to compare lifters across bodyweights; GL is the current IPF standard.
Which points should I care about for meets?
For modern IPF and IPF-affiliated meets, IPF GL points are usually what matter for “best lifter” style awards. Some other federations still use Wilks or DOTS. Check your rulebook; this page is only a helper.
Does this calculator handle equipped and bench-only events?
No. To keep things simple it assumes a classic/raw 3-lift total. Equipped and bench-only events use different GL coefficients; official software or meet sheets should be used for those.
How accurate are the strength classes?
The classes here are rough bands based on IPF GL points, not official qualifying totals. They are meant to communicate “developing”, “local”, “national”, “international” and “world-level” style ranges at a glance, not to decide selection, medals or records.
Can I enter gym totals or only meet results?
You can enter either, as long as bodyweight and total are in the same units. For comparing lifters across federations and meets, official meet totals are more meaningful than gym numbers.
Does this replace official meet scoring?
No. This page is informational only. Actual meets use their own scoring sheets and checks. Treat this as an easy way to sanity-check your numbers and see where you roughly sit compared with other lifters.
How to use this IPF and Wilks points calculator
This tool turns your bodyweight and 3-lift total into IPF GL and Wilks points. Instead of comparing totals only inside a weight class, you get scores that let you line up with lifters from other classes and meets.
1. Choose units and set sex
Start with the units box. By default it uses US pounds, with bodyweight and total in lb. If your numbers are in kilograms, switch to metric. Then pick sex to match what is used on your meet entry, since both formulas use different constants for men and women.
2. Enter bodyweight and total in the same units
Add your current bodyweight and your best powerlifting total (squat+bench+deadlift). Make sure both use the unit shown in the selector. For comparisons, using your best official meet total at that bodyweight will usually be the most useful.
3. Read IPF GL points, Wilks points and class
Hit Calculate IPF & Wilks to see:
- Your IPF GL points for a classic 3-lift total.
- Your Wilks points from the original Wilks formula.
- A simple class tag (developing, local, national, international, world-level range).
This makes it easy to see whether new training cycles are moving you up in relative strength, not just total.
4. Use the log line to track progress
The summary includes a short log-style line with bodyweight, total and both scores. You can copy this into a training diary or spreadsheet to track how points change over time, not only your raw total.
5. Copy the summary for check-ins and reviews
Use Copy summary to paste the results into coach check-ins, meet prep docs or chat threads. Everyone sees the same IPF GL and Wilks numbers without re-running a separate calculator each time.
Scores are just one lens. Keep pairing them with how your lifts move, how you feel through prep, and how attempts go on the platform, not just chasing a single “magic” number.
How the IPF GL and Wilks points math works
Under the hood the calculator uses the same kinds of formulas that meet software uses for classic 3-lift powerlifting results, with automatic conversion between pounds and kilograms.
1. Converting between lb and kg
Internally, both formulas work in kilograms. When you use US units, bodyweight and total are converted with:
kg = lb × 0.45359237
If you pick metric, the numbers are used as entered.
2. Wilks points (original formula)
The original Wilks score multiplies your total (kg) by a Wilks coefficient that depends on bodyweight and sex. The coefficient is:
Coeff = 500 ÷ (a + b·w + c·w² + d·w³ + e·w⁴ + f·w⁵)
where w is bodyweight in kg, and the constants a–f are different for men and women. Wilks points are then:
Wilks = total_kg × Coeff
3. IPF GL points for classic powerlifting
IPF GL points use a newer Goodlift-based coefficient. For a classic 3-lift total, the formula is:
GL = total_kg × 100 ÷ (A − B·e^(−C·w))
where w is bodyweight in kg and A, B, C depend on sex and whether the result is a classic total or equipped / bench-only. This page uses the classic powerlifting A, B, C values for men and women.
4. Turning points into simple strength classes
Once IPF GL points are calculated, the tool drops them into broad bands:
- Below about 50 → developing range.
- Roughly 50–70 → local-level range.
- Roughly 70–85 → national-level range.
- Roughly 85–100 → international-level range.
- 100+ → world-level range.
The exact cut-offs are just simple guide rails; meet standards and selection totals are set separately by federations.
If you want to go deeper, you can plug the same numbers into federation tools or compare with historical results to see how your points line up with specific classes, age groups and records.
References and further reading on IPF GL and Wilks
These resources explain Wilks, IPF GL and other strength coefficients in more depth:
- Wikipedia — Wilks coefficient — outlines the original Wilks formula, constants and how the score is used.
- Goodlift — Official IPF GL Points Calculator — shows how IPF GL points are applied to real meet results.
- LiftVault — DOTS, Wilks and IPF GL Powerlifting Calculator — compares several scoring models and explains when each is typically used.
Use these for background reading, then treat this page as a fast way to run your own numbers between training blocks and meets.