Plate calculator
Stack the plates you're putting on one side of the bar and see instantly whether you're on target, over, or under, and by exactly how much per side.
Add one-side plates
How plate loading works
(Goal − bar) ÷ 2 = weight per side. Load the largest plates first, closest to the collar. Example: 100 kg with a standard 20 kg bar leaves 80 kg → 40 kg per side → a 25, a 10, and a 5.
What problem does this solve?
Loading a bar sounds trivial until you're three sets deep and the target is 92.5 kg. Mid-session plate math is where loading errors happen: a set done at the wrong weight, or an asymmetric bar you only notice on the way up.
This tool removes the arithmetic. Stack what you're actually putting on the bar and it confirms on target, over, or under, with the exact fix per side. No guessing, no recounting plates between sets.
What more do you get in Mekimeki?
- It's there mid-set. The same calculator opens from inside your active workout, right when you need it.
- One tap to log. Apply the loaded total straight to the set's weight field. What's on the bar is what gets recorded.
- Your units, always. It follows your kg or lb preference like everything else in the app.
Standard plate weights
| Plate (kg) | IPF/IWF colour | Closest lb plate |
|---|---|---|
| 25 kg | Red | 55 lb |
| 20 kg | Blue | 45 lb |
| 15 kg | Yellow | 35 lb |
| 10 kg | Green | 25 lb |
| 5 kg | White | 10 lb |
| 2.5 kg / 1.25 kg | Change plates | 5 lb / 2.5 lb |
How do I calculate which plates to put on a barbell?
Subtract the bar weight from your target weight, then divide by two for each side. Example: 100 kg target with a 20 kg bar leaves 80 kg, so 40 kg per side: a 25, a 10, and a 5.
How much does a barbell weigh?
A standard Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg (about 45 lb). Common variants include the 15 kg women’s bar and lighter 10–15 kg technique bars.
What are the standard plate colours?
IPF/IWF colour standards: red 25 kg, blue 20 kg, yellow 15 kg, green 10 kg, white 5 kg, plus smaller change plates of 2.5 kg and below.
This calculator lives inside Mekimeki
Open it mid-set from your workout log and apply the loaded total straight to your set's weight field.
Download on the App StoreFree · Every feature included · No subscriptions · No paywalls · iOS 17+
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