Wilks vs. DOTS vs. IPF GL: Which Powerlifting Scoring System is Best?

If you have ever attended a powerlifting meet, you know that the absolute heaviest lifter usually lifts the most weight. But who is the best lifter pound-for-pound? We have all been there, staring at a scoreboard wondering how a 60kg lifter just beat a 120kg behemoth.

To answer this question and award the "Best Lifter" trophy across different weight classes, federations rely on mathematical formulas to calculate relative strength. Over the decades, these formulas have evolved as lifters have gotten stronger and statistical models have improved.

Today, there are three primary formulas you need to know: Wilks, DOTS, and IPF GL. If you spend any time browsing databases like openpower or openpowerlifting org, you will see these acronyms everywhere. Here is a complete guide to understanding how they work, why federations switch between them, and which one you should be tracking.

1. The Wilks Formula (The Original Standard)

For over twenty years, the Wilks coefficient was the undisputed king of powerlifting math. Developed by Robert Wilks in 1994, it was adopted globally by almost every major federation.

The Wilks formula compares the strength of powerlifters against each other regardless of weight or gender. It does this by generating a coefficient based on your body weight, which is then multiplied by your total (Squat + Bench + Deadlift).

• How to calculate it: Use our Wilks Score Calculator to find your coefficient instantly.

Why Did Federations Move Away from Wilks?

As powerlifting exploded in popularity during the 2010s, statisticians noticed flaws in the aging Wilks formula. The data set used to create Wilks in 1994 no longer accurately represented modern strength levels. Specifically, it was statistically biased towards middleweight lifters. Very light lifters and super-heavyweights found it nearly impossible to win "Best Lifter" because the math was stacked against them.

2. The DOTS Formula (The Modern Favorite)

In 2019, the United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) and several other prominent federations officially dropped Wilks and adopted DOTS (Dynamic Objective Team Scoring).

Developed by Tim Konertz, DOTS is a modernized, mathematically sound replacement for Wilks. It was built using a much larger, more modern dataset of over 100,000 powerlifting performances. When looking at stats on openpl, DOTS is often the default metric.

DOTS vs. Wilks: What is the Difference?

The primary difference between Wilks vs DOTS is fairness at the extremes. DOTS smooths out the statistical curve, removing the unfair bias that middleweights held under the Wilks system. If you are a 56kg lifter or a 140kg+ lifter, your relative strength is graded much more accurately on the DOTS scale.

• How to calculate it: Use our DOTS Score Calculator to see how you stack up under modern standards.

3. The IPF GL Formula (The Official Standard)

While USPA and independent federations moved to DOTS, the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF)—the largest drug-tested federation in the world—decided to build its own system.

In 2020, they introduced the IPF GL (Goodlift) Points system.

Unlike Wilks and DOTS, which use a single polynomial equation for all lifters, the IPF GL system calculates points based on the average total of the top-performing lifters in a specific weight class and equipment category. This means there are different constants for Classic (Raw) and Equipped lifting.

• How to calculate it: Use our IPF GL Calculator if you are competing in a USA Powerlifting (USAPL) or IPF-affiliated meet.

Which Calculator Should You Use?

The powerlifting strength calculator you should use depends entirely on the federation you compete in (or plan to compete in). Many lifters also want an open powerlifting rpe calculator or an rpe calculator open powerlifting tool to prep for these meets, so aligning your RPE targets with your federation's scoring system is smart.

1. If you compete in USPA, WRPF, or unsanctioned meets: You should track your DOTS Score.
2. If you compete in IPF or USAPL: You must use the IPF GL Calculator.
3. If you are comparing historical lifts: Use the Wilks Calculator, as almost all records prior to 2019 were recorded in Wilks.

Track your progress over time using the appropriate calculator, and remember that adding 10 pounds to your total at the exact same bodyweight increases your relative strength score across all systems!