What is a DOTS score?
DOTS is a powerlifting formula that turns your total into a single score adjusted for body weight. A heavier lifter will usually lift more in absolute terms, so DOTS scales the total down for heavier lifters and up for lighter ones. That lets meets pick a best lifter across weight classes, and lets you compare yourself with lifters of any size — men and women use separate coefficients but the same scale.
DOTS was introduced in 2019 as a modern alternative to the Wilks formula, fitted to more recent competition results.
How DOTS is calculated
DOTS = total × 500 ÷ (a + b·bw + c·bw² + d·bw³ + e·bw⁴)
Total and body weight (bw) are in kilograms; the calculator converts pounds for you. The coefficients are:
| Coefficient | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| a | −307.75076 | −57.96288 |
| b | 24.0900756 | 13.6175032 |
| c | −0.1918759221 | −0.1126655495 |
| d | 0.0007391293 | 0.0005158568 |
| e | −0.000001093 | −0.0000010706 |
The formula is defined for body weights of 40–210 kg for men and 40–150 kg for women; outside those ranges the calculator uses the nearest limit.
DOTS scores for common totals (men)
| Total | 60 kg bw | 75 kg bw | 90 kg bw | 105 kg bw | 120 kg bw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 kg | 338 | 287 | 259 | 241 | 230 |
| 500 kg | 422 | 359 | 323 | 302 | 287 |
| 600 kg | 506 | 430 | 388 | 362 | 345 |
| 700 kg | 591 | 502 | 453 | 422 | 402 |
| 800 kg | 675 | 574 | 517 | 482 | 459 |
DOTS scores for common totals (women)
| Total | 52 kg bw | 63 kg bw | 76 kg bw | 84 kg bw | 100 kg bw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 kg | 305 | 269 | 242 | 230 | 213 |
| 300 kg | 366 | 323 | 290 | 276 | 256 |
| 350 kg | 427 | 376 | 339 | 322 | 299 |
| 400 kg | 488 | 430 | 387 | 368 | 341 |
| 450 kg | 549 | 484 | 435 | 414 | 384 |
Read across a row to see how the same total is worth less as body weight rises; read down a column to see what each extra 100 kg of total adds at your weight.
DOTS vs Wilks
For middle-weight lifters, DOTS and the original Wilks formula land close together — a 600 kg total at 90 kg is 387.96 DOTS and 383.04 Wilks. They separate more at very light and very heavy body weights, where the two formulas make different assumptions. Our Wilks calculator shows both Wilks versions, and the powerlifting score calculator adds IPF GL points for IPF meets.
Tips for comparing DOTS scores
- Compare classic (raw) totals with classic totals, and equipped with equipped.
- Use your weigh-in body weight from the meet, not your walking-around weight.
- Look up real results for your sex and federation — for example on OpenPowerlifting — to see where your score sits.
Source: published DOTS coefficients (2019). Scores are rounded to two decimal places in the calculator and to whole numbers in the tables.
Frequently asked questions
What is a DOTS score?
DOTS is a powerlifting formula that adjusts your total for body weight, so lifters of different sizes — and men and women — can be compared on one scale. It was introduced in 2019 as a modern alternative to Wilks.
How is DOTS calculated?
Your total in kilograms is multiplied by 500 and divided by a fourth-degree polynomial of your body weight, with separate coefficients for men and women.
What is a good DOTS score?
There is no official scale. The most useful comparison is with lifters of your sex and federation in real meet results — for example on OpenPowerlifting, which lists DOTS for its entries.
Is DOTS the same as Wilks?
No, but for middle-weight lifters they give similar numbers. DOTS was fitted to more recent competition data, and the two separate more at very light and very heavy body weights.
General fitness information, not medical advice. Results are estimates; check with a doctor or qualified coach before major changes to diet or training. Last reviewed 2026-09-27.