Barbell Plate Loading Chart
A quick chart of how to load a standard 20 kg Olympic barbell to common total weights — the plates you put on each side. It saves the mental arithmetic mid-session.
| Total (with bar) | Per side | Plates per side |
|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 10 kg | 10 |
| 50 kg | 15 kg | 15 |
| 60 kg | 20 kg | 20 |
| 70 kg | 25 kg | 25 |
| 80 kg | 30 kg | 25 + 5 |
| 90 kg | 35 kg | 25 + 10 |
| 100 kg | 40 kg | 25 + 15 |
| 110 kg | 45 kg | 25 + 20 |
| 120 kg | 50 kg | 25 + 25 |
| 130 kg | 55 kg | 25 + 25 + 5 |
| 140 kg | 60 kg | 25 + 25 + 10 |
| 150 kg | 65 kg | 25 + 25 + 15 |
How to read it
Find the total weight (including the 20 kg bar) and load the listed plates on each side. For odd totals, non-standard bars or a limited plate rack, the plate calculator works out the exact nearest loadable weight.
Calculate your own
Frequently asked questions
- Does this include the bar?
- Yes — totals include a standard 20 kg (44 lb) Olympic barbell. Subtract the bar and halve the remainder to get the load per side, which is what the chart shows.
Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale — MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.
Last reviewed: