THE NUMBERS, EXPLAINED
How to use this calculator.
Uses the listed plate pairs, each at most once. Finds the heaviest achievable symmetric load not exceeding the target.
Start with your inputs
Enter target weight (kg), bar weight (kg), available pair plate weights (kg), repeated for quantity. Keep amounts in the units shown on each field. The example is a starting point, not a recommended value.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Target weight (kg) | 100 |
| Bar weight (kg) | 20 |
| Available pair plate weights (kg), repeated for quantity | 20,20,10,5,2.5 |
A worked example
With the example inputs above, plates per side is 20 + 20 kg. Change the inputs to explore your own scenario.
| Result | Example answer |
|---|---|
| Plates per side | 20 + 20 kg |
How this is calculated
Plates per side
choosePlates(a,b,c)
Symbols and units
- a
- Target weight (kg)
- b
- Bar weight (kg)
- c
- Available pair plate weights (kg), repeated for quantity
Use the units shown. A list keeps the order in which you enter its values. The symbol ^ means “raised to the power of”.
Calculation steps and notation
Subtract bar weight from target, divide by two and round to hundredths of a kilogram. Enumerate achievable sums using each listed plate once per side, also rounded to hundredths. Choose the greatest sum within that allowance; the same plates are required on the opposite side.
Assumptions and limits
Uses the listed plate pairs, each at most once. Finds the heaviest achievable symmetric load not exceeding the target.
Calculations use the values you enter. Blank or invalid inputs show an error instead of silently substituting zero. Results are displayed to useful precision; calculations retain the underlying numeric precision.
Questions about this tool
What does the result tell me?
Plates per side. The result applies to the method and inputs described above. Check the units and assumptions before using it in a decision.
Why might another calculator differ?
Differences in units, rounding, timing or model definitions can produce different answers. Compare the input definitions and the method, rather than only the final number. For this tool: Uses the listed plate pairs, each at most once. Finds the heaviest achievable symmetric load not exceeding the target.
Are my inputs stored or sent to AI?
Calculations on this page happen in your browser. The separate AI question finder sends its submitted conversation to OpenAI; these calculator fields are not sent. Favourites and recent tool names are stored locally. A shared link contains the inputs you choose to include.
Review status
Software example and browser checks are recorded in our quality report. No external expert review is claimed. Created with coding assistance; calculations run as ordinary browser code.
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