DOTS, Wilks, and IPF GL Points Explained: How Powerlifting Compares Lifters

Who's stronger: a 66 kg lifter with a 550 kg total or a 120 kg lifter with an 800 kg total? Powerlifting answers that with relative-strength formulas. "IPF" is one of the top powerlifting searches (+30%), and lifters search for DOTS and Wilks calculators constantly.

This guide explains how DOTS, IPF GL points and the older Wilks score work, gives you the formulas, and walks through examples.

The short answer

Score	Used by	Status	Rough "good" range
DOTS	Many federations, OpenPowerlifting	Current, widely used	300+ solid, 400+ strong, 500+ elite
IPF GL points	IPF and affiliates (USAPL, British Powerlifting, etc.)	Current (IPF official)	70+ solid, 90+ strong, 100+ elite
Wilks	Historically everywhere	Largely replaced (IPF dropped it after 2018)	300+ solid, 400+ strong, 500+ elite

All three do the same basic job: total × a bodyweight-dependent coefficient. Heavier lifters get a smaller multiplier, so lifters of different sizes can be compared.

Why bodyweight adjustment is needed

Strength doesn't grow in a straight line with bodyweight. Doubling your bodyweight doesn't double your total, because heavier lifters carry proportionally more non-contractile mass. Without an adjustment, the heaviest lifter would almost always "win." These formulas fit a curve to real competition data to level the field.

The DOTS formula

DOTS = total (kg) × 500 ÷ (A·BW⁴ + B·BW³ + C·BW² + D·BW + E)

where BW is bodyweight in kg, with these coefficients:

Coefficient	Men	Women
A	−0.000001093	−0.0000010706
B	0.0007391293	0.0005158568
C	−0.1918759221	−0.1126655495
D	24.0900756	13.6175032
E	−307.75076	−57.96288

Implementations commonly clamp bodyweight to a set range (roughly 40–210 kg for men and 40–150 kg for women) so the curve doesn't misbehave at the extremes.

Worked example

A man weighing 100 kg with a 600 kg total:

1. Denominator ≈ −109.3 + 739.1 − 1,918.8 + 2,409.0 − 307.8 ≈ 812.3
2. DOTS = 600 × 500 ÷ 812.3 ≈ 369

IPF GL points

The IPF introduced IPF GL points in 2020. The formula is:

GL = total × 100 ÷ (A − B·e^(−C·BW))

For the classic (raw) three-lift event:

Coefficient	Men	Women
A	1199.72839	610.32796
B	1025.18162	1045.59282
C	0.00921	0.03048

The IPF publishes separate coefficient sets for equipped lifting and bench-only events. Use the right table for your event.

Example: the same 100 kg man with a 600 kg total scores about 600 × 100 ÷ (1199.73 − 1025.18 × e^(−0.921)) ≈ 76 GL points.

DOTS scores at a glance

Approximate DOTS scores for men at different bodyweights and totals:

Bodyweight	400 kg total	500 kg total	600 kg total	700 kg total
66 kg	~313	~392	~470	~548
83 kg	~270	~338	~405	~473
100 kg	~246	~308	~369	~431
120 kg	~230	~287	~345	~402

Values calculated with the DOTS formula above and rounded; small differences between calculators come from rounding and bodyweight clamping.

What about Wilks?

The Wilks coefficient was the standard for decades. A revised "Wilks 2020" formula was published, but the IPF switched to its own GL points, and many other organisations moved to DOTS. You'll still see Wilks in older results and some local federations. Historic Wilks scores aren't directly comparable with DOTS or GL points.

How to use these scores

• Comparing yourself over time? Your total is usually the clearest measure. Scores mainly help when your bodyweight changes a lot between meets.
• Choosing a weight class? A score shows whether cutting or gaining weight would improve your relative standing.
• Setting goals? "400 DOTS" is a common intermediate-to-advanced milestone for men.

New to the sport? Start with what is powerlifting and a beginner powerlifting program. Women's classes and standards are in powerlifting for women.

Know your numbers first

Every score starts with your total, and your total starts with honest maxes. Use an estimated one-rep max from your training sets rather than frequent max tests.

GymMonster logs every set and keeps personal records for your squat, bench and deadlift, so you always have the numbers you need to calculate your score.

The bottom line

DOTS, IPF GL points and Wilks all multiply your total by a bodyweight-based coefficient so lifters of different sizes can be compared. The IPF uses GL points; many other federations and databases use DOTS; Wilks is mostly historic. Use the formulas above, or just track your total and let your score follow.