Strength coefficient engine Free · lb & kg
DOTS Calculator: Your DOTS Score
Enter your bodyweight and total to get your DOTS score. We also show Wilks, Wilks 2020 and IPF GL points so you can compare.
- DOTS for men and women
- lb and kg
- Free, no sign-up
What is a DOTS score?
DOTS is a formula that adjusts your powerlifting total for your bodyweight, so lifters of different sizes can be ranked on one list. It was created by the German powerlifting federation (BVDK) as an alternative to Wilks. The name stands for “Dynamic Objective Team Scoring”. Today it’s used by many federations, meets and online rankings.
Your DOTS score is your total multiplied by a coefficient that depends on your bodyweight and sex. For example, a 90 kg man with a 650 kg total scores about 420.29 DOTS. A 60 kg woman with a 330 kg total scores about 365.82 DOTS.
How does the DOTS calculator work out your score?
DOTS = total × 500 ÷ (a + b·bw + c·bw² + d·bw³ + e·bw⁴)
Men: a = −307.75076, b = 24.0900756, c = −0.1918759221, d = 0.0007391293, e = −0.0000010930
Women: a = −57.96288, b = 13.6175032, c = −0.1126655495, d = 0.0005158568, e = −0.0000010706
Bodyweight (bw) and total are in kilograms. Bodyweight is limited to 40 to 210 kg for men and 40 to 150 kg for women, as in the published implementation. If you enter pounds, the calculator converts for you.
DOTS vs Wilks: what is the difference?
Both formulas do the same job with different curves. DOTS uses a simpler fourth-order curve, with one set of constants for men and one for women, and it was built long after Wilks. For many lifters, DOTS and the original Wilks give similar numbers. At very light or very heavy bodyweights they can differ more. See all four scores side by side on the Wilks calculator.
| Bodyweight | Wilks | Wilks 2020 | DOTS | IPF GL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 kg | 510.4 | 604.2 | 509.3 | 101.3 |
| 83 kg | 433.9 | 521.1 | 438.8 | 90.0 |
| 105 kg | 388.4 | 464.5 | 392.0 | 80.3 |
| 120 kg | 373.7 | 443.1 | 373.3 | 75.6 |
How to use the DOTS calculator
- Pick your sex. DOTS uses separate constants for men and women.
- Enter your bodyweight. Use your weigh-in if you competed, or your normal morning weight.
- Enter your total, or choose “Squat, bench, deadlift” and enter each lift.
- Read your DOTS score, with Wilks, Wilks 2020 and IPF GL points for comparison.
Don’t know your maxes? Estimate them first with the squat calculator, bench press calculator and deadlift calculator.
How can I raise my DOTS score?
There are two ways: lift more, or lift the same with less bodyweight. For most lifters, raising your total is the better goal. Cutting weight too hard before a meet can cost you strength. If you compete, pick a weight class you can make comfortably and focus on building your squat, bench and deadlift.
What is a good DOTS score?
There’s no official scale. Scores in local meets vary a lot, and elite lifters score far above typical gym-goers. Track your own DOTS over time: if it goes up, you’re getting stronger for your size.
More tools
Frequently asked questions
What does DOTS stand for?
DOTS stands for “Dynamic Objective Team Scoring”. It was created in Germany by the BVDK so lifters of different sizes and sexes could be scored in team competitions.
Is DOTS better than Wilks?
Many lifters and federations now prefer DOTS, partly because it was built much more recently than Wilks. Neither is perfect. Use the score your federation or ranking uses.
Can I calculate DOTS in pounds?
Yes. Choose lb and enter your bodyweight and total in pounds. The calculator converts to kilograms before applying the formula.
Does DOTS work for bench-only meets?
DOTS is designed for full powerlifting totals. For bench-only events, IPF GL points have a separate bench setting, which you can choose in the calculator.
Sources
- The OpenPowerlifting Project. Coefficient implementations for Wilks, Wilks 2020, Dots and IPF GL points (crates/coefficients). Source code