STRENGTH · DOTS / WILKS / GL
DOTS vs Wilks vs GL Calculator
Compare DOTS, Wilks, and Goodlift scores side by side to see which system rates your powerlifting total highest.
Result
DOTS / Wilks / GL comparison
All three coefficients applied to the same total — higher means stronger relative to bodyweight.
How to use it
- Enter your bodyweight, powerlifting total (squat + bench + deadlift), sex, and whether you competed raw or equipped. The calculator runs all three scoring systems simultaneously.
- Read the comparison table showing DOTS, Wilks-2020, and Goodlift (GL) scores side by side with classification levels for each. The system that rates you highest is highlighted.
- Check the individual score cards below for visual position charts. Each system uses different polynomial coefficients, so your ranking can differ significantly between them.
- Use this to decide which federation's scoring system benefits your weight class. Lighter lifters often score better on DOTS; heavier lifters sometimes benefit from Wilks or GL.
- Re-run after each training block or competition. A rising score across all three systems confirms genuine relative strength improvement — not just a favorable weight class shift.
Questions people usually ask
What is the difference between DOTS, Wilks, and GL?
DOTS (2019) is the current IPF formula, Wilks (2020 revision) is the legacy standard still used by many federations, and Goodlift (GL Points) is the newer IPF system that expresses scores as a percentage of world-record performance. Each uses different polynomial coefficients to normalize totals against bodyweight.
Which scoring system should I use?
Use whatever your federation requires for competition. For personal tracking, DOTS is the current IPF standard. This tool shows all three so you can see which one favors your weight class and total.
Why does GL Points give a different classification than DOTS?
GL Points scale differently — they represent performance as a percentage of a theoretical maximum, so the numerical ranges for each classification differ from DOTS and Wilks.
Does raw vs equipped matter?
Yes, for GL Points. The Goodlift formula uses different coefficients for raw and equipped lifting because equipped totals are systematically higher. DOTS and Wilks do not distinguish between raw and equipped.
Is this tool free and private?
Yes. All calculations run client-side in your browser. No data leaves your device.
Formula
See the math
The underlying formula with variables defined, derivation shown, and a worked example with units.
Related Resources
Learn the decision before you act
Every link here is tied directly to DOTS vs Wilks vs GL Calculator. Use the explanation, formula, examples, and benchmarks to pressure-test the calculator output from first principles.
How To Use
5 STEPSHow to Use DOTS vs Wilks vs GL Calculator
Compare your powerlifting total across DOTS, Wilks, and Goodlift scoring systems to see which formula rates your performance highest.
ReadFormula
4 VARIABLESDOTS Score Formula
DOTS = total_kg × (500 / (a + b·bw + c·bw² + d·bw³ + e·bw⁴)). Sex-specific polynomial coefficients.
ReadRelated deep dive
All articles →Read further
Long-form context behind the calculator output.
- Pillar·11 min
DOTS vs Wilks vs GL: Scoring Coefficients Compared
Why the IPF moved from Wilks to IPF-GL in 2019 and to DOTS-style scoring for open comps, with coefficient behaviour plotted against bodyweight.
Read - Article·7 min
DOTS, Wilks, GL: An 83kg/510kg Male Lifter Scored Three Ways
DOTS 344.3, Wilks 340.7, IPF GL 70.6 for an 83 kg raw male lifter with a 510 kg total. The classification splits, why DOTS replaced Wilks, and what shifts.
Read - Article·8 min
Wilks to IPF-GL to DOTS: The Coefficient Evolution Story
Why the IPF dropped Wilks in 2019, what the GL fit corrected, and why DOTS-style scoring is now the OpenPowerlifting default for raw lifters.
Read
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