Wilks Score Powerlifting

Wilks Score: comparing powerlifters

The Wilks Score normalizes powerlifting strength across body weights so that a 60 kg lifter and a 120 kg lifter can be compared fairly. Total = sum of the heaviest successful squat + bench press + deadlift. The score is Total × Wilks coefficient, where the coefficient follows a polynomial curve over body weight (separate equations for men and women) developed by Robert Wilks in 1992. Rough benchmarks: 300+ = strong athlete, 400+ = elite, 500+ = world-record territory. Example: a 80 kg man lifting 500 kg total scores around 320.

Applications and context

Used historically by the IPF, USAPL, and Brazil's CBLB (Confederação Brasileira de Levantamento Básico) to rank lifters across weight classes and to choose Best Lifter at meets. In 2020, the IPF officially adopted the IPF GL (Goodlift) points, and a revised Wilks 2020 formula was also released — both correct known biases in the original at very high and very low body weights. The classic Wilks is still common in raw federations and online calculators.

FAQ

Does Wilks apply to bench-only meets? Yes, but the curve was fitted to full-power totals — single-lift use is informal and less reliable.

Wilks vs IPF GL — which should I use? For modern IPF-sanctioned meets, IPF GL is the official standard. Wilks remains popular for cross-federation and gym-floor comparisons.

Are there separate formulas for men and women? Yes — Wilks uses two distinct polynomial coefficients, so picking the correct sex is essential.