Plate Calculator
Plate Calculator for Kg Plates
In the UK and most of Europe, gym plates use kilograms. This guide covers the standard kg plate system, competition colour coding, and common loading combinations to speed up your plate maths.
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Use our plate calculator with these considerations in mind.
Key Considerations
- Standard kg plate set: 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25kg
- Competition plates follow IWF colour coding: red (25), blue (20), yellow (15), green (10)
- A standard Olympic bar is 20kg; a women's bar is 15kg
- The smallest common increment is 2.5kg total (1.25kg per side)
- Fractional plates (0.5kg, 0.25kg) exist for microloading
Specific Adjustments
Standard Gym Plates
Most commercial gyms stock plates from 1.25kg to 25kg. Pair plates to hit your target: e.g., 10kg + 5kg + 2.5kg per side = 55kg total on a 20kg bar.
Competition Plates
Calibrated to exact weight, colour-coded, and made of rubber. Used in weightlifting and powerlifting competitions.
Tips for Best Results
1Memorise common combinations: 60kg = 20kg per side, 80kg = 30kg per side, 100kg = 40kg per side
2For 2.5kg jumps, use 1.25kg plates on each side
3Consider buying your own fractional plates (0.5kg) for upper body progression
4When travelling internationally, most gyms outside the US use kg plates
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert between kg and lbs plates?
Multiply kg by 2.205 for lbs (or roughly double and add 10%). For example: 100kg ≈ 220lbs, 60kg ≈ 132lbs.
What colour are competition plates?
IWF standard: red = 25kg, blue = 20kg, yellow = 15kg, green = 10kg, white = 5kg, red = 2.5kg, blue = 2kg, yellow = 1.5kg, green = 1kg.
Are all 20kg bars the same?
No. Olympic bars, power bars, and deadlift bars all weigh 20kg but differ in whip (flex), knurling, and diameter. Women's Olympic bars weigh 15kg and have a thinner grip.
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