Wilks vs DOTS: Which Powerlifting Score Should You Use?

Wilks and DOTS are two formulas used in powerlifting to compare strength across weight classes. Instead of asking "who lifted the most?", these scores answer a harder question: "who is the strongest relative to their bodyweight?" In recent years, DOTS has been replacing Wilks in many federations due to better accuracy at extreme bodyweights — but both formulas are still widely used today.

What Is the Wilks Score?

The Wilks coefficient was developed by Robert Wilks in the 1990s and quickly became the standard for comparing powerlifting performances across weight classes. The formula uses a 5th-degree polynomial to generate a coefficient based on the lifter's bodyweight. Your total (squat + bench + deadlift) is multiplied by this coefficient to produce a single, bodyweight-adjusted score.

For decades, Wilks was the default scoring system used for best lifter awards, meet rankings, and qualifying totals. Federations like the USAPL, IPF, WRPF, and many others relied on it exclusively. The formula was updated once in 2020 (sometimes called "Wilks-2"), but the core approach remained the same.

The main criticism of Wilks is that it tends to favour mid-range bodyweights. Lifters at the extremes — very light (under 56 kg) or very heavy (over 120 kg) — often saw their scores skewed, making fair comparisons harder. This is especially noticeable in the superheavyweight class, where additional bodyweight doesn't proportionally increase strength potential.

What Is DOTS?

DOTS (Dynamic Objective Team Scoring) was introduced in 2019 as a modern alternative to Wilks. Developed with updated statistical methods, DOTS uses a 4th-degree polynomial with coefficients recalculated from a larger, more recent dataset of competition results.

The primary advantage of DOTS is improved accuracy at the extremes of the bodyweight spectrum. Where Wilks can produce inflated or deflated scores for very light and very heavy lifters, DOTS provides a smoother, more consistent curve. This makes it fairer for comparing a 56 kg lifter against a 140 kg lifter — a scenario where Wilks often falls short.

DOTS has been adopted by several major federations, including the IPL and a growing number of national organizations. Many online platforms and meet management software now support DOTS alongside Wilks, and it's becoming the preferred formula for head-to-head comparisons in the broader powerlifting community.

IPF GL Points: The Third Option

The IPF Goodlift (GL) Points system was introduced by the International Powerlifting Federation in 2019 as their proprietary scoring method. Unlike Wilks and DOTS, which use a polynomial applied to bodyweight alone, IPF GL Points factor in the lifter's gender, equipment category (raw or equipped), and event type (full power or bench-only).

IPF GL Points are calculated using a logarithmic formula based on world-record-level performances in each category. A score of 100 represents a world-record-equivalent performance, making the scale intuitive: higher is better, and 100 is the ceiling for most mortals. If you compete in an IPF-affiliated federation, GL Points are the official scoring system for rankings and qualifying totals.

Wilks vs DOTS: Key Differences

Which Score Should You Use?

The short answer: it depends on your context. Here's a practical guide:

• Use DOTS if you want the most accurate modern comparison across weight classes. DOTS handles extreme bodyweights better and is increasingly the standard for non-federation comparisons. If you're comparing yourself to training partners or tracking progress over time, DOTS is the best general-purpose choice.
• Use Wilks if you're comparing against historical performances or competing in a federation that still uses Wilks for best lifter awards. Since Wilks has been around since the 1990s, it's the only formula with decades of comparable data.
• Use IPF GL Points if you compete in an IPF-affiliated federation. GL Points are the official scoring system for IPF meets, qualifying totals, and world rankings.

For most recreational powerlifters, calculating all three is the simplest approach — it takes seconds with a calculator and gives you the full picture.

What's a Good Score? Benchmarks for Both Formulas

The following benchmarks apply to raw, drug-tested male lifters in the full power (SBD) event. Female lifters and equipped lifters can expect slightly different thresholds, but the relative tiers are similar.

Wilks and DOTS scores are roughly comparable in magnitude for mid-range bodyweights, which is why the benchmarks look similar. The differences become more pronounced at the lightest and heaviest weight classes.

Why Powerlifting Scores Matter

Raw totals only tell part of the story. A 600 kg total at 75 kg bodyweight is a drastically different achievement than a 600 kg total at 120 kg. Without a bodyweight-adjusted scoring system, there's no fair way to compare these two performances or determine a best overall lifter at a meet.

Beyond competition, scores give you a way to track your own progress independent of bodyweight changes. If you move up a weight class, your total might increase — but did your relative strength actually improve? Your Wilks or DOTS trend over time answers that question objectively.

Scores also help set meaningful goals. Instead of chasing arbitrary total numbers, you can target specific score thresholds like a 300 Wilks (solidly intermediate) or a 400 DOTS (advanced territory). These benchmarks are consistent regardless of whether you weigh 60 kg or 110 kg.