How much does an Olympic barbell weigh?

A men's Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg (44 lbs). A women's Olympic barbell weighs 15 kg (33 lbs). A standard (non-Olympic) barbell typically weighs 9–10 kg (20 lbs). Always confirm the bar weight at your specific gym, as some specialty bars (trap bar, safety squat bar, EZ bar) differ significantly.

How do I calculate total weight with plates?

Total weight = bar weight + (plate weight per side × 2). For example: 20 kg bar + 20 kg plate on each side = 20 + (20 × 2) = 60 kg total. In lbs: 44 lb bar + 45 lb plate per side = 44 + (45 × 2) = 134 lbs. Remember to count both sides — plates are always loaded symmetrically.

What is 135 lbs in kg for bench press?

135 lbs equals approximately 61.2 kg. On a standard 44 lb (20 kg) Olympic bar, 135 lbs means adding 45.5 lbs (two 45 lb plates) total — or 22.75 lbs per side. In metric gyms, the closest equivalent is a 20 kg bar plus 20 kg plates per side, totaling 60 kg (132 lbs).

Gym Plate Mathematics: Calculate Total Barbell Weight in kg and lbs

Bar Weights: Know Your Starting Point

Before adding a single plate, you need to know how much the barbell itself weighs. This is a common source of confusion, especially for beginners who may not realize the bar has significant weight. Always include the bar in your total load calculation.

Men's Olympic barbell: 20 kg / 44 lbs — the standard bar in most commercial gyms
Women's Olympic barbell: 15 kg / 33 lbs — shorter and thinner diameter, often color-coded
Standard (non-Olympic) bar: 9–10 kg / 20 lbs — common in home gyms and older equipment
EZ curl bar: 8–10 kg / 18–22 lbs — varies by manufacturer
Hex / trap bar: 25–30 kg / 55–65 lbs — varies significantly

Formula: Total weight = Bar weight + (Plate weight per side × 2)

Standard Plate Weights: kg and lbs Equivalents

Metric Plate (kg)	Equivalent (lbs)	Imperial Plate (lbs)	Equivalent (kg)
1.25 kg	2.76 lbs	2.5 lbs	1.13 kg
2.5 kg	5.51 lbs	5 lbs	2.27 kg
5 kg	11.02 lbs	10 lbs	4.54 kg
10 kg	22.05 lbs	25 lbs	11.34 kg
15 kg	33.07 lbs	35 lbs	15.88 kg
20 kg	44.09 lbs	45 lbs	20.41 kg
25 kg	55.12 lbs	55 lbs	24.95 kg

Common Loading Combinations (Men's Olympic Bar — 20 kg / 44 lbs)

Total (kg)	Total (lbs)	Plates Each Side (kg)	Plates Each Side (lbs equivalent)
40 kg	88 lbs	1 × 10 kg	1 × 22 lbs
60 kg	132 lbs	1 × 20 kg	1 × 45 lbs
80 kg	176 lbs	1 × 20 + 1 × 10 kg	~1 × 45 + 1 × 25 lbs
100 kg	220 lbs	2 × 20 + 1 × 10 kg	~2 × 45 + 1 × 10 lbs
120 kg	265 lbs	2 × 20 + 1 × 10 + 1 × 5 kg	~2 × 45 + 1 × 35 lbs
140 kg	308 lbs	3 × 20 kg	~3 × 45 + 1 × 10 lbs
160 kg	353 lbs	3 × 20 + 1 × 10 kg	~3 × 45 + 1 × 35 lbs
180 kg	397 lbs	4 × 20 + 1 × 10 kg	~4 × 45 + 1 × 10 lbs

Worked Examples

Example 1: Bench Press at 135 lbs (US gym standard)

Bar weight: 44 lbs (20 kg)
Remaining weight: 135 − 44 = 91 lbs to load (45.5 lbs per side)
Closest plate combination: one 45 lb plate per side = 134 lbs total
In kg: 20 kg bar + ~20.4 kg per side = ~60.8 kg

Example 2: 100 kg squat in a metric gym

Bar weight: 20 kg
Plates needed: 80 kg total = 40 kg per side
Use: one 25 kg + one 15 kg plate per side
Or: two 20 kg plates per side

Example 3: Women's bar with 60 lbs total

Bar weight: 33 lbs (15 kg)
Plates needed: 60 − 33 = 27 lbs = 13.5 lbs per side
Use: one 10 lb + one 2.5 lb plate per side

Use our weight converter to switch between kilograms and pounds for any loading combination.