Powerlifting Standards

Squat, bench press, and deadlift standards by IPF weight class from beginner to elite.

Male - by Weight Class

130 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	265 lb	353 lb	463 lb	562 lb	639 lb
Bench	165 lb	220 lb	291 lb	357 lb	401 lb
Deadlift	331 lb	430 lb	545 lb	644 lb	716 lb
Total	750 lb	992 lb	1279 lb	1543 lb	1742 lb

146 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	298 lb	397 lb	511 lb	622 lb	699 lb
Bench	181 lb	247 lb	324 lb	397 lb	445 lb
Deadlift	364 lb	474 lb	595 lb	705 lb	783 lb
Total	827 lb	1096 lb	1404 lb	1698 lb	1907 lb

163 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	331 lb	441 lb	567 lb	688 lb	772 lb
Bench	198 lb	269 lb	357 lb	434 lb	489 lb
Deadlift	401 lb	522 lb	655 lb	772 lb	860 lb
Total	908 lb	1206 lb	1543 lb	1867 lb	2094 lb

183 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	357 lb	478 lb	617 lb	743 lb	838 lb
Bench	214 lb	291 lb	386 lb	474 lb	534 lb
Deadlift	434 lb	567 lb	710 lb	842 lb	937 lb
Total	985 lb	1312 lb	1680 lb	2033 lb	2282 lb

205 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	386 lb	518 lb	666 lb	809 lb	908 lb
Bench	231 lb	313 lb	419 lb	511 lb	578 lb
Deadlift	467 lb	611 lb	765 lb	908 lb	1014 lb
Total	1063 lb	1422 lb	1823 lb	2205 lb	2474 lb

231 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	412 lb	556 lb	710 lb	864 lb	970 lb
Bench	247 lb	335 lb	445 lb	545 lb	617 lb
Deadlift	496 lb	650 lb	816 lb	970 lb	1085 lb
Total	1140 lb	1526 lb	1944 lb	2348 lb	2646 lb

265 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	441 lb	589 lb	761 lb	919 lb	1036 lb
Bench	265 lb	357 lb	474 lb	578 lb	655 lb
Deadlift	522 lb	688 lb	864 lb	1030 lb	1151 lb
Total	1213 lb	1625 lb	2077 lb	2502 lb	2822 lb

Over 120 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	463 lb	617 lb	794 lb	963 lb	1085 lb
Bench	280 lb	375 lb	496 lb	606 lb	688 lb
Deadlift	545 lb	716 lb	904 lb	1080 lb	1206 lb
Total	1272 lb	1702 lb	2176 lb	2623 lb	2959 lb

Female - by Weight Class

104 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	143 lb	198 lb	265 lb	331 lb	379 lb
Bench	82 lb	115 lb	154 lb	194 lb	225 lb
Deadlift	198 lb	269 lb	357 lb	441 lb	507 lb
Total	412 lb	567 lb	761 lb	952 lb	1096 lb

115 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	159 lb	220 lb	291 lb	364 lb	419 lb
Bench	93 lb	126 lb	170 lb	214 lb	247 lb
Deadlift	220 lb	298 lb	397 lb	489 lb	562 lb
Total	456 lb	628 lb	842 lb	1052 lb	1213 lb

126 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	176 lb	243 lb	324 lb	401 lb	463 lb
Bench	99 lb	137 lb	181 lb	225 lb	265 lb
Deadlift	236 lb	324 lb	430 lb	534 lb	611 lb
Total	500 lb	688 lb	919 lb	1146 lb	1323 lb

139 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	192 lb	265 lb	353 lb	434 lb	500 lb
Bench	110 lb	148 lb	198 lb	247 lb	287 lb
Deadlift	258 lb	353 lb	467 lb	578 lb	661 lb
Total	545 lb	750 lb	1003 lb	1246 lb	1437 lb

152 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	209 lb	287 lb	379 lb	467 lb	540 lb
Bench	115 lb	159 lb	214 lb	265 lb	309 lb
Deadlift	280 lb	379 lb	500 lb	622 lb	710 lb
Total	589 lb	809 lb	1080 lb	1345 lb	1548 lb

168 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	225 lb	309 lb	408 lb	500 lb	578 lb
Bench	126 lb	170 lb	225 lb	287 lb	331 lb
Deadlift	298 lb	401 lb	534 lb	661 lb	761 lb
Total	633 lb	871 lb	1157 lb	1433 lb	1658 lb

185 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	243 lb	331 lb	434 lb	540 lb	622 lb
Bench	132 lb	181 lb	243 lb	302 lb	353 lb
Deadlift	313 lb	423 lb	562 lb	699 lb	805 lb
Total	672 lb	930 lb	1235 lb	1537 lb	1775 lb

Over 84 lb

Lift	Beginner	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Elite
Squat	258 lb	353 lb	463 lb	573 lb	661 lb
Bench	143 lb	192 lb	258 lb	324 lb	375 lb
Deadlift	331 lb	445 lb	589 lb	732 lb	842 lb
Total	716 lb	985 lb	1301 lb	1625 lb	1874 lb

Powerlifting Standards by Weight Class

Competitive powerlifting is contested within weight classes, not open divisions. Knowing the standards for your weight class gives you a concrete target: what total does it take to qualify locally, perform at a national level, or compete internationally? These tables break that down across five levels - from first-year competition results all the way to world-class performance.

The IPF uses eight weight classes for both male and female athletes. Male classes run from 59 kg to Open 120+ kg; female classes run from 47 kg to Open 84+ kg. Athletes must weigh in at or below their class limit on competition day, making weight management an important part of the sport at higher levels. Most beginners should compete at their natural bodyweight rather than cutting weight.

These standards cover squat, bench press, deadlift, and total. For raw (Classic) powerlifting, a common observation is that the deadlift is the highest absolute lift for most people, followed by squat, then bench press. A balanced total typically follows a rough 38/25/37 distribution across the three lifts. If your numbers deviate significantly from this pattern, focusing on your weakest lift will usually produce the fastest improvement in your total.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are IPF weight classes?

The International Powerlifting Federation competes in official bodyweight classes. Male classes (kg): 59, 66, 74, 83, 93, 105, 120, and Over 120. Female classes: 47, 52, 57, 63, 69, 76, 84, and Over 84. Athletes must weigh in at or below their class limit.

What do the strength levels mean on this page?

The five columns represent increasing performance levels. Beginner reflects typical first-year competition results, Novice represents consistent local competition, Intermediate is national qualifier territory, Advanced is national medal level, and Elite represents world-class performance.

Are these standards for raw or equipped powerlifting?

These standards are based on raw (Classic) powerlifting data - no suit, no bench shirt. Equipped totals are significantly higher and should not be compared to these figures.

How accurate are these standards?

The numbers are derived from open competition results aggregated across international and national meets. They are representative benchmarks, not official IPF qualification standards, which change each quad cycle.

What is a good powerlifting total for my weight class?

Reaching the Intermediate column on this page is a strong competitive goal for most lifters. At that level, you are performing at a national qualifier standard in your weight class. The Elite column represents top-5% world performance.

How do I compare my total across weight classes?

Use the Wilks, DOTS, or IPF GL calculators - they normalise your total for bodyweight so you can compare fairly against lifters in different weight classes.