Formula, in Strength Training

DOTS Score Formula

DOTS, published in 2019 through the German federation BVDK, replaced Wilks as the best-lifter formula in many federations outside the IPF (the IPF uses IPF GL points). It uses a polynomial coefficient based on body weight to make lifts comparable across weight classes.

4 variables. Published Mar 12, 2026. Updated Oct 5, 2026. By AI Fit Hub.

Education, not medical advice. The result comes only from the published formula and your inputs. How we check our formulas.

Formula

DOTS = total_kg × 500 / polynomial(bw)
where polynomial(bw) = a + b·bw + c·bw² + d·bw³ + e·bw⁴ with sex-specific (a..e) coefficients.

Variables

DOTS

DOTS score

Bodyweight-normalized strength score. Higher is better. World-record-class lifters: ~500. Top national: ~450. Strong recreational: ~350–400.

total_kg

Powerlifting total

Sum of best squat, bench, and deadlift in kilograms.

Bodyweight at weigh-in

Kilograms. Sandbagging into a lighter class to maximize DOTS is a known competitive tactic.

polynomial(bw)

Sex-specific normalizer

4th-degree polynomial in bodyweight (kg). Male: a=-307.75076, b=24.0900756, c=-0.1918759221, d=0.0007391293, e=-0.000001093 (bodyweight 40-210 kg). Female: a=-57.96288, b=13.6175032, c=-0.1126655495, d=0.0005158568, e=-0.0000010706 (40-150 kg).

Step by step

1

Determine sex-specific polynomial coefficients (a, b, c, d, e).

Male coefficients: a = -307.75076, b = 24.0900756, c = -0.1918759221, d = 0.0007391293, e = -0.000001093.
2

Evaluate polynomial(bw) by substituting bodyweight.

bw = 83 kg. P = -307.75 + 24.0901·83 − 0.191876·83² + 0.00073913·83³ − 0.000001093·83⁴ = -307.75 + 1,999.48 − 1,321.84 + 422.62 − 51.87 = 740.64.
3

Divide 500 by the polynomial.

500 / 740.64 = 0.6751.
4

Multiply by total in kg.

Total 600 kg × 0.6751 = 405.1 DOTS.

Worked example

Male, 83 kg bodyweight, 600 kg total

Sex

Male

Bodyweight (kg)

Total (kg)

600

P(83) = 740.64. DOTS = 600 × 500 / 740.64 = 405.1

DOTS 405: a solid competitive total for an 83 kg man, the Intermediate band on the DOTS calculator's rough scale.

Common variations

Wilks (1994, updated 2020): the predecessor formula. Still used by some federations and historical comparisons.

IPF GL points: the IPF's own formula since 2020, with an exponential bodyweight curve and separate raw and equipped coefficients; its scores run at about a fifth of DOTS.

IPF Points: yet another normalizer. Use the one your federation scores by; cross-formula comparisons are noisy.

Run the numbers next

Strength One-Rep Max Calculator
Estimate one-rep max with Epley, Brzycki, and Lombardi formulas.
Strength DOTS vs Wilks vs GL Calculator
Compare DOTS, Wilks, and Goodlift scores side by side to see which system rates your powerlifting total highest.
Strength Strength Standards Calculator
Rank your lifts from Beginner to Elite based on bodyweight ratios.

Sources

IPF Coefficients (DOTS, GL, IPF) , International Powerlifting Federation Technical Rules
Vanderburgh PM, Batterham AM. Validation of the Wilks powerlifting formula , Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (1999)