Meet attempt calculator
A common plan is to open at about 91 % of your max, take about 96 % on the second and 100 % on the third. Enter your squat, bench and deadlift in pounds or kilos; the calculator rounds every attempt to the 2.5 kg steps used on the platform, with the opener rounded down.
Your attempts (standard: 91 / 96 / 100 %)
| Lift | Opener | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squat | 175.0 kg 386 lb | 185.0 kg 408 lb | 192.5 kg 424 lb |
| Bench press | 122.5 kg 270 lb | 130.0 kg 287 lb | 135.0 kg 298 lb |
| Deadlift | 217.5 kg 480 lb | 230.0 kg 507 lb | 240.0 kg 529 lb |
How the attempts are calculated
- Standard: 91 % / 96 % / 100 % of the max you enter. Conservative: 88 / 94 / 99 %. Aggressive: 93 / 98 / 102 %.
- Pounds are converted at 1 kg = 2.20462 lb before rounding, so the kilo attempts are exact.
- The opener is rounded down to 2.5 kg; the second and third to the nearest 2.5 kg, and each attempt is at least 2.5 kg heavier than the one before.
A calculator only knows percentages. Your training log knows more: how fast your recent heavy singles moved and at what RPE. How to use that, and how to call the third on the day, is in how to pick powerlifting meet attempts.
Questions
How do I pick my opener?
Open with a weight you could make on your worst day: nervous, after a long wait, on an unfamiliar platform. For most lifters that is about 88 to 92 % of the max they bring to the meet, or a weight they have tripled in training. A missed opener puts the whole total at risk.
What should my second attempt be?
Something you have hit recently in training, around 94 to 96 % of your max. It builds the total and tells you how much is left for the third.
How big should the jumps be?
Common jumps are 5 to 15 kg on squat and deadlift and 2.5 to 7.5 kg on bench, depending on how heavy the lifter is. Decide the third after the second: if it moved fast, take the planned third or a little more; if it was a grinder, take a smaller jump.
Why are the attempts in kilos?
Federations such as USA Powerlifting and the IPF load the bar in kilograms, so attempts are declared in multiples of 2.5 kg. This calculator takes your training numbers in pounds and rounds every attempt to a weight the loaders can actually put on the bar. The opener is rounded down, never up.
Should I use my tested max or my estimated max?
Use the weight you could make today with competition commands and depth. A recent estimate from hard sets with RPE is often more honest than an old gym PR. If in doubt, choose the conservative plan.