Loading a bar in kilos
The math is the same as in pounds, just with kilo plates: take off the 20 kg bar, halve the rest, and load the heaviest plates first. For 140 kg: 140 − 20 = 120, ÷ 2 = 60 kg per side, which is two 25s and a 10.
Standard kilo plates are colour coded: 25 kg red, 20 kg blue, 15 kg yellow, 10 kg green, 5 kg white, then small change plates (2.5 kg, 1.25 kg and smaller). See plate colours explained for the full chart.
Common kilo loads
| Total | Plates on each side | In lb |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 20 | 132.3 lb |
| 80 kg | 25 + 5 | 176.4 lb |
| 100 kg | 25 + 15 | 220.5 lb |
| 120 kg | 2 × 25 | 264.6 lb |
| 140 kg | 2 × 25 + 10 | 308.7 lb |
| 160 kg | 2 × 25 + 20 | 352.7 lb |
| 180 kg | 3 × 25 + 5 | 396.8 lb |
| 200 kg | 3 × 25 + 15 | 440.9 lb |
Competition loading with collars
In powerlifting and weightlifting meets, each collar weighs 2.5 kg, so the bar and collars together are 25 kg. Choose Competition under Collars and the calculator counts them. With collars on, 100 kg is 37.5 kg per side (25 + 10 + 2.5) instead of 40.
Meets load the heaviest plates first, starting with 25s, then 20s, 15s, 10s and so on, which is exactly the order shown above.
Kilos and pounds side by side
- 20 kg bar = 44.1 lb. A 45 lb bar is 20.4 kg.
- 100 kg = 220.5 lb, not 225. 140 kg = 308.6 lb.
- 20 kg plates are a little lighter than 45 lb plates: see 45 lb vs 20 kg.
Questions
How many plates is 100 kg?
On a 20 kg bar, 100 kg is 40 kg per side: one 25 kg and one 15 kg plate on each side (or two 20s if your gym has them).
How heavy is a kilo barbell?
A men's Olympic bar is 20 kg and a women's bar is 15 kg. Technique bars are often 10 kg or lighter.
Do competition collars count?
Yes. Each competition collar weighs 2.5 kg, so they add 5 kg in total and are included in meet attempts.