How to load a barbell
Subtract the bar (and collars, if you use them) from your target, halve what's left, and load that on each side with the heaviest plates first. The calculator does exactly this and tells you if the plates can't make your weight exactly.
Weight per side = (target − bar − collars) ÷ 2
Kilogram plates vs pound plates
Competition gyms use kilogram plates (25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 kg), colour-coded red, blue, yellow, green, white. Most US commercial gyms use pound plates (45, 35, 25, 10, 5 and 2.5 lb). A 20 kg plate (44.1 lb) is slightly lighter than a 45 lb plate (20.4 kg), so the same “two plates a side” is 140 kg on a kilogram set but 225 lb (102 kg) on a pound set.
Common barbell weights
- Men's Olympic bar: 20 kg (44 lb)
- Women's Olympic bar: 15 kg (33 lb)
- Standard US gym bar: counted as 45 lb
- Trap, safety squat and specialty bars: usually 25–30 kg (55–65 lb) — weigh yours
Tips for loading plates
- Load the heaviest plates closest to the centre and keep both sides identical.
- Use collars for anything heavy; plates drift during lifts.
- For small jumps, fractional plates (1.25 kg, 0.5 kg or 2.5 lb) let you progress steadily.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Olympic barbell weigh?
A men's Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg (44 lb) and a women's bar 15 kg (33 lb). In US gyms the standard bar is usually treated as 45 lb. Trap bars, safety squat bars and technique bars vary, so check yours.
Should I count collars?
Spring clips weigh almost nothing, but competition collars weigh 2.5 kg each (5 kg per pair). If you use them, include them so the total on the bar is correct.
Why can't the calculator hit my exact weight?
Plates only come in fixed sizes. If your target isn't reachable with the plates available, the calculator loads the closest weight below it and shows the difference. Adding smaller change plates fixes this.
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.