Dynamic Objective Team Scoring (DOTS) for Accurate Strength Comparison
Free DOTS calculator for powerlifters. Understand your DOTS score, compare your performance across weight classes, and learn about this widely-used powerlifting scoring system used by federations like USAPL and USPA.
How to use
Note: The DOTS score helps compare a lifter's performance against others, regardless of body weight. A higher DOTS score indicates better relative strength.
01
DOTS stands for Dynamic Objective Team Scoring. Introduced around 2019, it has gained popularity as a method to normalize and compare powerlifting totals. It is considered by some to be more balanced across various weight classes than older formulas like the original Wilks score, especially for lifters at extreme ends of the bodyweight spectrum.
02
The DOTS score is notably used by major powerlifting federations such as USA Powerlifting (USAPL) and the United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) for determining "best lifter" awards in competitions, typically for non-master categories, and often for team scoring.
03
The DOTS formula uses a polynomial equation that takes the lifter's body weight (in kg) and gender as inputs to produce a coefficient. This coefficient is then multiplied by the lifter's total weight lifted (sum of squat, bench press, and deadlift) to generate the DOTS score. The specific coefficients in the polynomial differ for males and females. The calculator above implements this formula.
04
DOTS is favored for its attempt to provide a more equitable comparison across all weight classes. While no coefficient system is perfect, DOTS is often seen as an improvement in fairly ranking lifters of significantly different sizes. Its adoption by large federations underscores its relevance in modern powerlifting.
05
The standard DOTS formula, as implemented in most calculators including this one, is based on the lifter's total (sum of squat, bench, and deadlift) and does not differentiate between raw (unequipped) and equipped lifting within its core calculation. It's primarily applied in contexts of raw lifting. If used in equipped lifting, federations might have specific guidelines or adjustments, but the baseline DOTS calculation shown here remains standard.
| Body Weight | Performance (Total) |
|---|---|
| 59kg | 618.70kg |
| 66kg | 671.43kg |
| 74kg | 725.24kg |
| 83kg | 779.22kg |
| 93kg | 832.73kg |
| 105kg | 889.81kg |
| 120kg | 952.61kg |
| 150kg | 1057.57kg |
| 180kg | 1143.31kg |
(The levels below are general benchmarks often aligned with IPF Point ranges. Your DOTS score provides relative strength comparison.) (Each column from left to right: Wilks Score, DOTS Score 2020, IPF Score)
| Level | Squat | Bench Press | Deadlift | Total (Example Scores) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Class | 198/237/830 | 139/166/855 | 212/253/773 | 526/628/808 |
| Elite | 180/215/755 | 127/151/780 | 197/235/712 | 488/583/744 |
| Advanced | 151/180/631 | 106/127/653 | 172/205/611 | 421/503/630 |
| Intermediate | 125/149/521 | 87/104/534 | 147/173/504 | 359/429/525 |
| Novice | 100/120/417 | 69/83/424 | 122/146/411 | 295/352/416 |
| Beginner | 70/84/289 | 49/59/302 | 91/109/287 | 217/259/283 |
| Untrained | 51/61/208 | 38/46/233 | 73/87/214 | 177/211/216 |
The DOTS calculator is used to determine a powerlifter's DOTS score, which measures their strength relative to their body weight and gender. This allows for comparison between lifters of different sizes and is often used to award "best lifter" trophies in competitions.
DOTS, Wilks, and IPF GL are all systems to compare relative strength. Wilks is an older system. IPF GL Points are currently used by the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) and its affiliates and account for equipment and lift type. DOTS is used by other federations like USAPL and USPA and is praised for its balance across weight classes, especially in raw lifting.
The mathematical formula for DOTS itself, as used in this calculator, does not change based on whether the lifter used equipment or not. It is primarily designed for and applied to raw lifting totals. While you can select "Equipped" in the calculator to see other scores like IPF GL Points change, the DOTS score will be calculated based on your bodyweight, gender, and total lifted, irrespective of the equipment setting for DOTS itself.
The DOTS score is intended to be calculated from the powerlifting total (sum of all three lifts). While the calculator allows you to select individual lifts to see other scores (like IPF GL Points for single lifts), the DOTS score displayed will always be based on the "Lifted Weight" input as if it were a total for the purpose of the DOTS calculation formula.
Unlike IPF GL Points which have more established general strength level tables, specific DOTS score benchmarks for "novice," "elite," etc., are less standardized across the community. Lifters often track their DOTS score progression over time or compare with competitors in their federation. The strength level table provided on this page is based on general IPF Point benchmarks for overall guidance.