If you’ve competed in powerlifting — or even watched a meet — you’ve heard lifters talk about Wilks, DOTS, or IPF GL points. These scoring systems solve a fundamental problem in strength sports: how do you compare lifters across different weight classes?

A 500 kg total at 66 kg bodyweight represents a very different level of strength than a 500 kg total at 120 kg. Relative strength scores apply mathematical corrections for bodyweight to produce a single number that attempts to level the playing field. This guide explains what each system is, how they differ, and how to use them productively.

The weight-class comparison problem

Raw totals are useful within a weight class — the lifter with the higher total wins. But across weight classes, heavier lifters almost always total more in absolute terms simply because they have more muscle mass. The question becomes: who is stronger relative to their size?

This is relevant for:

  • Best-lifter awards at meets (comparing across classes)
  • Qualification standards that need to be equitable across bodyweights
  • Personal tracking — measuring your progress relative to your bodyweight over time
  • Community benchmarks — understanding where you stand in the broader strength community

Every relative strength formula attempts to answer this question with a coefficient that adjusts the total based on bodyweight. The formulas differ in their mathematical approach and the datasets they were calibrated against.

Wilks-2 (2020 revision)

History

The original Wilks formula was developed by Robert Wilks in the 1990s and became the default comparison standard in powerlifting for nearly three decades. It uses a 5th-degree polynomial to generate a coefficient based on bodyweight.

The 2020 revision (Wilks-2) updated the polynomial coefficients using more recent competition data. This revision addressed longstanding criticisms that the original formula over-rewarded very heavy lifters and under-rewarded very light lifters.

How it works

Wilks-2 takes your bodyweight (in kg) and computes a coefficient using a 6th-degree polynomial. Your Wilks score is:

Wilks = Total (kg) × Coefficient

The coefficient is inversely related to bodyweight — lighter lifters get a larger multiplier, heavier lifters get a smaller one. Separate coefficients exist for male and female lifters.

Where it’s used

Wilks remains the most widely recognized score across non-IPF federations. USAPL, RPS, USPA, and many regional and international federations use it for best-lifter awards. If someone says “my Wilks is 350,” most lifters immediately understand what that means.

DOTS (Dynamic Optimal Total Score)

Design rationale

DOTS was introduced in 2020 as a direct response to perceived inequities in the Wilks formula. Its designers specifically aimed to produce more balanced comparisons at the extremes of the bodyweight spectrum — the very light classes (under 60 kg) and very heavy classes (over 120 kg), where Wilks had historically been most criticized.

How it works

DOTS uses a 4th-degree polynomial to compute a coefficient from bodyweight. Like Wilks, your score is:

DOTS = Total (kg) × Coefficient

The mathematical form is simpler than Wilks-2, which its proponents argue makes it more robust and less prone to overfitting to specific competitive data.

Where it’s used

DOTS has been adopted by a growing number of federations and meet directors, particularly in international competition. It’s increasingly seen alongside Wilks on meet results sheets. Some lifters prefer it as a “fairer” comparison, especially at the lighter and heavier ends of the spectrum.

IPF GL (GoodLift)

Specifics

IPF GL (GoodLift) points are the official scoring system for all International Powerlifting Federation-sanctioned competitions. The coefficients are calibrated specifically to IPF competition data and are periodically updated.

How it works

IPF GL uses an exponential decay model rather than a polynomial:

IPF GL = Total (kg) × (100 / (A − B × e^(−C × bodyweight)))

Where A, B, and C are constants specific to sex and lift type (classic 3-lift, equipped, single lifts). The exponential model handles extreme bodyweights differently than polynomial models, which is partly why IPF GL scores don’t directly map to Wilks or DOTS scores.

Where it’s used

Exclusively in IPF and IPF-affiliated federation competitions. IPF GL scores are not directly comparable to Wilks or DOTS scores from non-IPF meets, and vice versa. If you compete in an IPF federation, this is the score that matters for qualification standards and rankings.

Score benchmarks

While exact ranges vary by sex and the scoring system used, here are rough benchmarks for raw, male lifters using Wilks-2 or DOTS (the two are similar enough that these ranges apply to both):

LevelScore RangeWhat It Means
BeginnerUnder 200New to structured training. Most untrained males who can complete all three lifts safely will land here.
Novice200–250Several months of consistent training. Developing technique and base strength.
Intermediate250–3001–3 years of structured training. Competent technique, solid base.
Advanced300–350A strong recreational lifter. Competitive at local meets.
Elite350–400Competitive at regional and national levels. Years of dedicated training.
World class400–450+National and international competitors. Top percentile of the sport.
All-time great500+Historic-level performances. Very few lifters reach this tier.

For female lifters, the scale is similar but the absolute numbers are generally 50–80 points lower at equivalent competitive levels due to physiological differences.

IPF GL points use a different scale, so these benchmarks don’t directly apply. Generally, an IPF GL score above 70 is competitive at the national level.

Which score should you use?

For personal tracking

Any of the three works. The most important thing is consistency — pick one and track it over time. A rising score means you’re getting stronger relative to your bodyweight, regardless of which formula you use. Use the Wilks / DOTS / IPF GL Calculator to compute all three simultaneously.

For competition

Use whatever your federation uses. If you compete in an IPF-affiliated federation, your IPF GL score is what matters. For non-IPF meets, check what the meet uses for best-lifter awards — usually Wilks-2 or DOTS.

For comparing across federations

This is where it gets tricky. Different scoring systems produce different numbers from the same total and bodyweight. You can’t directly compare a Wilks score from a USAPL meet to an IPF GL score from an IPF meet. For informal comparison, use the same scoring system for both lifters.

Raw vs. equipped

All three scoring systems generate the same coefficient regardless of whether you’re lifting raw or equipped. But equipped lifting (squat suits, bench shirts, etc.) produces significantly higher totals, which means equipped scores are not directly comparable to raw scores.

Some federations publish separate rankings for raw and equipped lifters. When comparing scores, always confirm whether both lifters competed in the same division.

Tracking personal progress

The most practical use of relative strength scores is monitoring your own trend over time. Use the Wilks / DOTS / IPF GL Calculator to compute your score after each training cycle or competition. Plot the results. A rising score over months and years means your training is working at a fundamental level — you’re getting stronger relative to your size.

Pair this with your 1RM Calculator estimates for individual lifts to understand which lift is driving your total forward and which might be lagging.

Bottom line

Relative strength scores are tools for comparison and tracking, not measures of worth. They’re imperfect mathematical approximations of a complex physical reality. Use them to set goals, monitor progress, and appreciate where you stand — but don’t obsess over the number. The most important comparison is you vs. you from six months ago.

Further reading