DOTS Calculator
Compare powerlifting totals across bodyweights and sexes with the DOTS formula — the Wilks-replacement used by USAPL, USPA, and most non-IPF federations. Free, no signup.
Same bands as Wilks: 300 = solid intermediate, 400 = competitive amateur, 450+ = national-elite, 500+ = world-class. DOTS replaced Wilks at USAPL, USPA, and the non-IPF circuit in 2019.
About this calculator
The DOTS score normalises a powerlifting total against bodyweight and sex, letting lifters in different weight classes be compared on a single number. It was developed by Reactive Training Systems in 2019 as a direct fix for the mid-weight male over-reward in the original Wilks formula, refitted on ~700,000 OpenPowerlifting results (roughly 100× the dataset Wilks was fitted on). USAPL, USPA, IPL, and most non-IPF federations now use DOTS as their scoring default. Numerically similar to Wilks at typical bodyweights, more generous to heavyweights, slightly less generous to sub-66 kg male lifters. Same scoring bands as Wilks: 300 = solid intermediate, 400 = competitive amateur, 450+ = national elite, 500+ = world-class for men (women scored comparably by the female coefficient set).
Sources
DOTS coefficients (Reactive Training Systems, 2019). 4th-order polynomial fit on ~700,000 OpenPowerlifting meet results.
FAQs
What is a good DOTS score?
Same bands as Wilks — DOTS was calibrated to keep the same interpretive scale. Rough benchmarks for men: 300 = solid intermediate, 400 = competitive amateur, 450 = national-level, 500+ = world-class. Women’s scoring is calibrated to be comparable.
DOTS vs Wilks — which is more accurate?
DOTS was designed to fix the documented Wilks-1994 bias of over-rewarding mid-weight male lifters. The fit is on a 100× larger, more modern dataset and the curve shape is deliberately flatter through the middle weight classes. For a fair cross-weight-class comparison in 2024+, DOTS is the better-supported default. Wilks 2020 is close but still favours mid-weights slightly.
Can I compare a DOTS score to a Wilks score directly?
Only roughly. At mid bodyweights (75-95 kg men), DOTS and Wilks agree within ~5 points. At the extremes, they diverge by 10-20 points because they use different curve shapes. Compare within the same formula if you can; use rank order across formulas.
What total do I enter?
The sum of your best successful attempts at squat, bench press, and deadlift in the same session — the standard powerlifting total. Don’t mix and match across separate sessions.