Powerlifting

DOTS Score Calculator

Compare powerlifting strength across all body weights using the official DOTS formula — adopted by the IPF to replace Wilks.

DOTS Score Calculator

Official DOTS formula — male & female

Applies to both fields

DOTS Score

DOTS uses a sex-specific 4th-degree polynomial fitted to large competition datasets. It corrects for biases present in the original Wilks formula and remains accurate at very light and very heavy body weights.

Formula: Total (kg) × (500 / f(bw)), where f(bw) is a 4th-degree polynomial with sex-specific constants.

How the DOTS Formula Works

The DOTS score multiplies your total by a body-weight coefficient derived from a sex-specific 4th-degree polynomial. The curve is fitted separately for men and women, correcting for biological differences in muscular potential across the weight spectrum.

Male constants: a = −0.000001093, b = 0.0007391293, c = −0.1918759221, d = 24.0900756, e = −307.75076

Female constants: a = −0.0000010706, b = 0.0005158568, c = −0.1126655495, d = 13.6175032, e = −57.96288

DOTS Score Classification Table

DOTS ScoreLevelDescription
Below 200BeginnerFirst steps in the sport
200 – 300NoviceBuilding a foundation
300 – 400IntermediateCompetitive at local meets
400 – 450AdvancedRegional-level performance
450 – 500EliteNational competition level
500+World ClassInternational competition

DOTS vs. Wilks: Key Differences

Both normalize a total for body weight but use different polynomial models. The main practical differences:

  • DOTS uses updated regression data and is unbiased across the full body weight range
  • Wilks 2020 was also recalibrated and produces similar scores for most lifters (60–105 kg)
  • For IPF-affiliated competitions, DOTS or IPF GL Points are the official ranking metrics
  • For general cross-federation tracking, either works — pick one and stick with it

Frequently Asked Questions

DOTS compares powerlifting performance across body weights using sex-specific polynomial denominators. It was created by Tim Kowalczuk and adopted by the IPF to replace Wilks, as it is less biased at extreme body weights.
200–300 is novice level. 300–400 is competitive at local meets. 400–450 is advanced (regional-competitive). 450–500 is elite (national level). 500+ is world class.
DOTS reduces bias at very light and very heavy body weights. Both the original Wilks and Wilks 2020 have known accuracy issues at extremes. For competition use whichever your federation requires; for personal tracking both are reasonable.
No — like Wilks, DOTS only accounts for sex, body weight, and total. For equipment-adjusted comparisons use IPF GL Points, which has separate raw and single-ply coefficients.