Your plates. Your bar.
Choose Find my plates when you know the total you want to lift. Enter the bar weight and target, then adjust the available pairs. The result lists what goes on each side.
Choose Add up my bar when the plates are already loaded. Add one pair for every matching plate on the left and right. The calculator adds both sides and the bar.
What goes on a 100 kg bar?
20 kg bar + 2 × (20 kg + 20 kg) = 100 kg
That is two 20 kg plates on each side. Four plates in total.
In pounds, a 45 lb bar with two 45 lb plates on each side weighs 225 lb. Bar weights vary: check the marking on the bar instead of assuming every gym uses the same one.
The closest load you can make
The calculator divides the weight above the bar evenly between the two sides. It checks combinations of your available pairs, chooses the closest result at or below the target, and prefers fewer plates when two combinations have the same weight.
If your target is 101 kg but your smallest available pair adds 2.5 kg, you may see 100 kg. The shortfall stays visible. It does not silently round up to a heavier load.
Collars, chains, bands, and machine resistance are not included. The calculator adds entered weights; it does not assess whether a load is appropriate for you.
Common questions
Do I enter plates per side or total plates?
Enter pairs. One pair means one plate on each side. A result of “2 × 20 kg” under “Load on each side” means two 20 kg plates per side.
Can I use a 15 kg or a lighter training bar?
Yes. Change the bar weight to match your equipment. You can enter any positive bar weight from 1 to 100 in the selected unit.
Why do the plates reset when I change units?
Kilogram and pound plates come in different sizes. A unit switch loads the corresponding inventory and resets the example; it does not treat a 20 kg plate as a 45 lb plate.
Does this work for dumbbells?
It is designed for a symmetrically loaded barbell. It does not account for different dumbbell handles or adjustable-dumbbell mechanisms.