Home / DOTS Score Calculator - Australian Powerlifting

DOTS SCORE CALCULATOR

Updated: 30 September 2025

Use the calculator below to find out your DOTS score based on your bodyweight and lifts. 

Choose whether to enter all 3 lifts or just your total.

WHAT IS THE DOTS SCORE?

The DOTS Score is used to compare powerlifting results between lifters of different bodyweights. It adjusts your total so everyone can be ranked fairly. In simple terms, it shows how strong you are for your size. In Australia, DOTS is the main scoring system for drug-tested powerlifting.

  • Australian Powerlifting League (APL) uses DOTS to rank lifters and award Best Lifter at competitions.
  • Powerlifting Australia (PA) also runs tested meets and has started using DOTS at some events, although some competitions may still use Wilks.
  • Australian Powerlifting Union (APU), part of the IPF, uses IPF Points instead.
  • Non-tested federations like GPC Australia and CAPO continue to use Wilks.

DOTS is popular in tested meets because it is simple, modern, and considered fair for lifters across all weight classes.

HOW IS THE DOTS SCORE CALCULATED?

The DOTS Score is worked out by multiplying your total lift (the sum of your best squat, bench press, and deadlift) by a coefficient based on your body weight. This coefficient is calculated using a formula designed to fairly compare lifters of different sizes.

You don’t need to work out the coefficient yourself — most competitions and this calculator do it automatically. Once the coefficient is known, the calculation is simple:

DOTS Score = Total Lifted × Coefficient

For example, if you lifted a total of 600 kg and your coefficient was 0.5500, your DOTS Score would be:

600 × 0.5500 = 330.0

The DOTS formula uses slightly different constants for men and women to ensure fair comparisons. Overall, it provides a modern and balanced way to rank lifters across all weight classes, without giving an advantage to lighter or heavier athletes.
 

Where BW is your body weight in kilograms, and a, b, c, d, e, f are constants defined when DOTS was developed:

Men’s Constants:

a = 47.46178854

b = 8.472061379

c = -0.07369410346

d = 0.0002586110512

e = -0.0000003634089054

f = 0.000000001790898013

Women’s Constants:

a = -125.4255398

b = 13.71219419

c = -0.03307250631

d = 0.00004809990691

e = -0.00000003622531999

f = 0.000000000105123006

ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATIVES TO DOTS?

Yes. Before DOTS became popular, other systems were already in use to help compare lifters of different body weights.

  • Wilks Score: This was the standard for years, developed in the 1990s. It’s still used in some non-tested federations and local meets, but many feel it favours heavier lifters.
  • IPF Points: Used by Powerlifting Australia (the IPF affiliate) and at international IPF competitions. IPF Points were brought in to reflect more up-to-date lifting data and offer a fairer alternative to Wilks.
  • DOTS Score: Now widely used in Australia for drug-tested competitions. Federations like the Australian Powerlifting League (APL) rely on DOTS because it’s simple, modern, and generally seen as fair across all weight classes.

Each formula has supporters. Wilks remains common in grassroots and untested federations, while DOTS and IPF Points are now preferred at most drug-tested and professional-level meets.

WHY DOTS REPLACED WILKS

The Wilks formula, created in the 1990s, was used for decades to compare lifters across weight classes. It relied on old data and became inaccurate as the sport grew. Lighter lifters, especially women, often received inflated scores, while heavyweights were penalised.

DOTS (Dynamic Objective Team Scoring) was introduced using modern, global data. It reflects today’s lifters more accurately and uses separate coefficients for men and women. Many federations, including Powerlifting Australia and USPA, now use DOTS as their standard.

COMMON CRITICISMS OF DOTS

  1. Heavy lifters still feel slightly disadvantaged.
  2. Lightest weight classes can be over-rewarded.
  3. Does not account for equipped lifting.
  4. No adjustment for Masters lifters.
  5. May need updates as the sport evolves.
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CONTENT AUTHOR:

Adam B. / Director, Turtle Strength

 

Adam is passionate about powerlifting, strength training and digital marketing. Created Turtle Strength to find the best possible product to meet the needs of training. 

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