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In powerlifting and general strength training, absolute strength is easy to measure: whoever lifts the most weight wins. But what happens when you want to compare the strength of two athletes who are completely different sizes?
A 250-pound lifter squatting 500 pounds is incredibly strong, but a 150-pound lifter squatting 400 pounds might actually be stronger pound-for-pound. This is where the Wilks Score comes in.
What is the Wilks Score?
The Wilks Score (or Wilks Coefficient) is a mathematical formula used primarily in powerlifting to compare the strength of lifters across different body weight categories and genders.
Created by Robert Wilks, the formula takes a lifter's total weight lifted (usually the sum of their Squat, Bench Press, and Deadlift) and multiplies it by a coefficient determined by their body weight. The result is a standardized score that allows for fair comparison.
Why Does It Matter for the Everyday Lifter?
You don't need to be a competitive powerlifter to care about your Wilks Score. For the everyday gym-goer, the Wilks Score is the ultimate metric for tracking relative progress.
If you are currently on a "cut" (losing weight) but your Wilks Score is going up, it means you are retaining or building strength despite losing body mass. This is the holy grail of body recomposition! Conversely, if you gain 20 pounds of body weight but your Wilks Score drops, it means your absolute strength gains did not match your weight gain—you just got heavier, not relatively stronger.
How to Calculate Your Score
The actual mathematical formula for the Wilks Score is incredibly complex, involving polynomial equations that you probably don't want to do by hand.
Instead, use our built-in calculator to instantly find your score.
Simply input your gender, your current body weight, and your absolute maxes for the big three lifts (Squat, Bench, and Deadlift). The tool will output your score.
What is a "Good" Score?
While standards vary, a general guideline is:
- 250 - 300: Intermediate lifter
- 300 - 400: Advanced lifter
- 400+: Elite/Competitive level
Track your score every few months to ensure your strength is progressing proportionately to your body weight!
Stop completely guessing.
Use our interactive PWA tools to calculate your exact macros, 1RM, and running pace offline.
