How the plate calculator works
The math is simple but easy to get wrong mid-session: subtract the bar, divide the remaining weight by two, then load the largest available plates per side until the target is reached.
In a metric gym, "two plates" is usually 100 kg: a 20 kg bar plus one 20 kg plate per side twice. In a pounds gym, two plates is 225 lb: a 45 lb bar plus two 45 lb plates per side. If you are using this to set working weights from a recent set, pair it with the one rep max calculator.
Plate calculator FAQ
Does this include the bar?
Yes. The calculator subtracts the bar weight before calculating plates per side.
What if the target cannot be loaded exactly?
The result shows the closest load at or below the target with the available plates.