What is a Good Wilks Score?

Last Updated: November 10, 2021

What is the Wilks score used for?

The Wilks formula is used to compare lifted weight in powerlifting between lifters of different body weights and gender – so you can compare the strength of men and women and lighter and heavier lifters.

Simple calculations based on how many times your bodyweight you can lift is not a good indication of the strength of powerlifters, as this does not scale in a linear fashion. It would highly disadvantage the heavier lifter versus the lighter lifter.

Wilks takes the weight lifted and compares it to what elite lifters lift at the same bodyweight – and scores you accordingly.

The formula is based on research and a coefficient calculated by Robert Wilks of Powerlifting Australia and is used in most powerlifting federations around the world. To calculate the Wilks coefficient, you need to use a pretty complicated formula. We have a very easy-to-use version for you here: Wilks Calculator.

Attempts have also been made in the past to incorporate age into the equation as well – a Wilks calculator with age factored in – but it is not something that is officially supported or backed up by science and research.

Comparison Between Men and Women

A woman weighing 120lbs (54.4kg) squatting 400lbs (181.5kg) gets 218.29 Wilks points. For a man weighing 220lbs (99.8kg), he would need to squat 791lbs (359kg) to earn 218.54 Wilks points in order to considered stronger according to the Wilks formula.

A male and a female lifter weighing the same 160lbs/72.5kg, registering a total of 500lbs/227kg would score respectively 165 Wilks points (male) and 220 Wilks points (female).

So even though the weight of the lifters and the weight they lifted is the same, their Wilks score is very different, because men are statistically stronger than women. What is considered a good score for a woman is not for a man, for biological reasons.

...So what IS a good wilks score then?

It is going to be slightly subjective, but these are pretty ratings, based on looking at a large amount of data and talking to experts.

Wilks Points	Level	Remark
250	Promising beginner	You don’t walk in off the street without training doing this

300

Solid beginner

This could be achieved in 1-2 years of focused effort and training for most lifters

350

Regional Hero

In smaller countries/states, this might win you a medal at the nationals

400

National level

Odds are, that in most countries you will be competing at a national level with 400+ Wilks

450

World-class

Congratulations, you are going to the world championships!

500

Elite

You are probably in the top 10 in the world in your weight!

550

Super Elite

Less that 100 people in the world have ever achieved 550+ Wilks points.

600

GOAT material

You are in the running to be the Greatest Of All Time. Only a handful of lifters have ever achieved 600+ Wilks – none of them in doping tested federations.

What is the best Wilks score ever achieved?

If we limit our search for the best Wilks score to only raw lifting in doping-tested powerlifting federations, the top three as of October 2019 is held by Ray Williams, Jesse Norris and Sergey Fedosienko.

1. Ray Williams - 593.83 Wilks Points

ray williams wilks score 593.83

Ray Williams aka. “Ray Ray”, competing for the USA in the International Powerlifting Federation, is by most experts considered the greatest of all time in raw, doping tested powerlifting.

Since he came onto the powerlifting scene, he has been in a league of his own, absolutely dominating.

His best result is a 2452lbs/1112.5kg total at a bodyweight of 419.7/190.4kg (he is a big boy!).

Most impressive is his world record squat of 1090 lbs / 490kg.

You should probably follow “Ray Ray” on Instagram.

2. Jesse Norris - 585.83 Wilks Points

Jesse Norris of USA, competing for the USA in the International Powerlifting Federation best ever performance to date earned him the second spot in this list.

He totaled 2015 lbs / 914 kg spread on a 340.2kg squat, 199.6 kg bench press, and 374.2 kg deadlift with a bodyweight of 196.8lbs / 89.3 kg, earning him 585.83 Wilks points.

3. Sergey Fedosienko - 584.96 Wilks Points

Sergey Fedosienko of Russia, competing in the International Powerlifting Federation has been at the top of the IPF for more than a decade in raw as well as equipped powerlifting.

His best raw performance is a total of 1477lbs / 670kg at a bodyweight of 128.9lbs/58.5kg, which made his Wilks score of 584.96 the third best in this list.

Now Calculate Your Wilks Score!

We’ve created a tool that allows you to find out your Wilks Score easily. Click on one of the links below, depending on your preferred unit of mass, to visit the tool.

Calculate your Wilks Score in lbs
Calculate your Wilks Score in KG

What would it take you to reach elite level (500+ Wilks) at your current body weight?

About the author

Jason Hughes

"Hey there, I'm Jason, and you've just landed on the most exhilarating spot on the web - my VL universe! Here's the deal: I'm wildly obsessed (in the best way possible!) with all things diet, strength training, fitness, health, and wellness. It's not just a passion; it's a lifestyle!

View All Posts