Short answer: every score on this site is calculated in your browser using the published formulas: DOTS (Tim Konertz, BVDK, 2019), Wilks (1995), Wilks-2 (2020) and IPF GL points (IPF, valid from 1 May 2020). This page lists the exact formulas and coefficients, shows worked examples, and explains why different calculators can give slightly different results.
What DOTS stands for
DOTS stands for Dynamic Objective Team Scoring. It was developed in 2019 by Tim Konertz of the German powerlifting federation (BVDK) to compare lifters of different bodyweights fairly. It converts your total (squat + bench press + deadlift, in kilograms) into a bodyweight-adjusted score.
The DOTS formula
DOTS = total (kg) × 500 ÷ (a·BW⁴ + b·BW³ + c·BW² + d·BW + e)
BW is bodyweight in kilograms. Bodyweight is limited to 40–210 kg for men and 40–150 kg for women before the formula is applied, as in the OpenPowerlifting reference implementation.
| Coefficient | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| a | -0.0000010930 | -0.0000010706 |
| b | 0.0007391293 | 0.0005158568 |
| c | -0.1918759221 | -0.1126655495 |
| d | 24.0900756 | 13.6175032 |
| e | -307.75076 | -57.96288 |
Worked examples
| Lifter | Bodyweight | Total | DOTS | Wilks (1995) | IPF GL (classic) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man | 90 kg | 600 kg | 387.96 | 383.04 | 79.77 |
| Woman | 63 kg | 350 kg | 376.43 | 375.89 | 76.57 |
For the man: the DOTS coefficient at 90 kg is 0.64660, so 600 × 0.64660 = 387.96. You can check these numbers in our DOTS calculator.
Wilks and Wilks-2
Wilks = total × 500 ÷ (a + b·BW + c·BW² + d·BW³ + e·BW⁴ + f·BW⁵)
| Coefficient | Men (1995) | Women (1995) |
|---|---|---|
| a | -216.0475144 | 594.31747775582 |
| b | 16.2606339 | -27.23842536447 |
| c | -0.002388645 | 0.82112226871 |
| d | -0.00113732 | -0.00930733913 |
| e | 7.01863 × 10⁻⁶ | 4.731582 × 10⁻⁵ |
| f | -1.291 × 10⁻⁸ | -9.054 × 10⁻⁸ |
Wilks-2 (2020) uses the same polynomial shape with updated coefficients (men: a = 47.46178854, b = 8.472061379, c = 0.07369410346, d = -0.001395833811, e = 7.07665973070743 × 10⁻⁶, f = -1.20804336482315 × 10⁻⁸; women: a = -125.4255398, b = 13.71219419, c = -0.03307250631, d = -0.001050400051, e = 9.38773881462799 × 10⁻⁶, f = -2.3334613884954 × 10⁻⁸). Use our Wilks calculator to compare both.
IPF GL points
IPF GL points = total × 100 ÷ (A − B · e^(−C · BW))
| Category | A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men, classic powerlifting | 1199.72839 | 1025.18162 | 0.00921 |
| Men, equipped powerlifting | 1236.25115 | 1449.21864 | 0.01644 |
| Men, classic bench press | 320.98041 | 281.40258 | 0.01008 |
| Men, equipped bench press | 381.22073 | 733.79378 | 0.02398 |
| Women, classic powerlifting | 610.32796 | 1045.59282 | 0.03048 |
| Women, equipped powerlifting | 758.63878 | 949.31382 | 0.02435 |
| Women, classic bench press | 142.40398 | 442.52671 | 0.04724 |
| Women, equipped bench press | 221.82209 | 357.00377 | 0.02937 |
Source: the IPF GL coefficients document. The IPF has used GL points at all IPF-sanctioned events since 1 May 2020. Try the IPF GL points calculator.
Pounds and kilograms
All formulas are defined in kilograms. If you enter pounds, we convert with 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg before calculating. Scores are shown to two decimal places.
Why calculators sometimes disagree
- Old or mistyped coefficients. Some tools still use incorrect DOTS or pre-2020 IPF values.
- Bodyweight limits. Tools that do not limit bodyweight give different results for very light or very heavy lifters.
- Rounding and unit conversion. Rounding pounds to kilograms too early changes the result slightly.
- Wrong category. IPF GL results differ between classic and equipped, and between full power and bench only.
Limits of these scores
These calculators are for estimates and training comparisons. Official meet placings are calculated by each federation’s own software and rules. Dots Calculator is independent and not affiliated with the IPF, USA Powerlifting, the BVDK or any other federation.
Sources
- International Powerlifting Federation: IPF GL formula and IPF GL coefficients (2020)
- Kopayev, Onyshchenko and Stetsenko (2020): Evaluation of Wilks, Wilks-2, DOTS, IPF and GOODLIFT formulas
- Wilks coefficient (Wilks and Wilks-2 coefficients)
- OpenPowerlifting reference implementation of DOTS (coefficients and bodyweight limits)
Last checked: September 2026. Found an error? Tell us and we will fix it.