Lifter Comparison Calculator
Compare two lifters using bodyweight-adjusted scoring. Enter each lifter's total and bodyweight to see who performs better on Wilks, DOTS, and relative strength metrics.
Which Coefficient to Trust?
Wilks, DOTS, and IPF GL Points each attempt to answer the same question: who is the better lifter relative to their bodyweight? They differ in their mathematical approach and how well they account for the non-linear relationship between bodyweight and strength capacity.
The IPF GL Points system is the most current and most accurate for comparing performance at elite levels - it adjusts based on actual world record performance at each weight class rather than a theoretical curve. DOTS is the current IPF competition standard and is more accurate than Wilks at extreme bodyweights. Wilks remains widely recognised and historically significant but has known limitations, particularly at very high bodyweights where it underestimates strength capacity.
For comparing two lifters in the same or adjacent weight classes, all three coefficients will usually point to the same winner. Differences appear most when comparing lifters across very different weight classes, where the coefficients' assumptions about strength scaling diverge most significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Wilks coefficient?
The Wilks coefficient (developed by Robert Wilks) adjusts a powerlifting total for bodyweight using a polynomial formula. Multiplying the total by the Wilks coefficient gives a Wilks score that allows comparison across weight classes. Higher scores indicate better relative performance.
What is the difference between DOTS and Wilks?
DOTS is a newer coefficient developed as a more accurate replacement for Wilks. It uses a different polynomial formula that better fits the relationship between bodyweight and strength, particularly at extreme bodyweights. The IPF adopted DOTS as their official scoring system at most competitions.
What are IPF GL Points?
IPF GL (Good Lift) Points compare your total to a theoretical "world class" total at your bodyweight, derived from world record data. A score of 100 would represent world record performance; most elite competitors score in the 80-95 range. It is more dynamic than Wilks or DOTS as the reference values update with world record improvements.
Can I compare male and female lifters?
Wilks and DOTS have separate male and female coefficients that are designed to allow cross-gender comparison. In theory, a female lifter with a Wilks score of 400 is performing at an equivalent relative level to a male lifter with a Wilks score of 400. In practice, direct male/female comparison using these scores is debated within the sport.