How to Use the Wilks/DOTS Score Calculator
Powerlifters compete in different weight classes, so a raw total can't tell you who's actually stronger relative to bodyweight. This calculator takes your sex, bodyweight, and total (squat + bench press + deadlift) and runs them through two bodyweight-adjusted formulas: the classic Wilks score and the newer DOTS score.
The Wilks score has been the standard bodyweight-adjustment formula for decades, while DOTS is a more recent formula built on updated statistics that's increasingly used in international meets. Both formulas scale your total against your bodyweight so lifters in different classes, from lightweight to super heavyweight, can be ranked on the same scale.
For example, a 165 lb male lifter with a 990 lb total scores roughly 321 Wilks and 323 DOTS. At the same total, a lighter lifter scores higher than a heavier one, which is why these scores work well for comparing lifters across classes rather than judging raw poundage alone. Formulas differ by sex, so the same total won't produce the same score for men and women.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are bodyweight-adjusted scores used to compare lifters across weight classes. DOTS is a newer formula that has become more common in international competition, but both serve the same purpose of ranking relative strength.
Total is the sum of your best successful attempt in squat, bench press, and deadlift. If you fail all three attempts in any one lift, you don't get an official total for that meet.