Barbell plate-loading calculator

What it does

Find balanced plates per side from a target total, bar, collars and available inventory.

How to use it

1. Enter target weight, bar weight and combined collar weight, all in the same kg or lb unit.
2. List plate weights and available pairs, then calculate an exact or nearest achievable total.
3. Processing stays in this browser. No sign-up or upload.

Example

A 100 kg target with a 20 kg bar and no collars needs 40 kg of plates per side.

Methodology

Bounded dynamic programming searches achievable balanced per-side sums using integer hundredths. Ties choose the lighter total, then fewer plates.

Limitations

Up to 15 sizes, 20 pairs each and 2,000 target units. One pair means one plate per side. Units label values rather than converting them; no loading or training advice.

Automation

This tool runs in your browser. No upload API or MCP endpoint is available.