Who you are compared with
The competition comparison uses the OpenPowerlifting database snapshot dated Oct 17, 2026 (revision c7782562, 4,050,248 result rows). From it we keep:
- Event: SBD (full power: squat, bench press and deadlift).
- Equipment category: Raw (the category allowed bare knees or sleeves; it does not prove what each lifter wore).
- Drug-tested categories only (OpenPowerlifting Tested = Yes). This marks the category, not that each lifter was individually tested.
- Meet dates 2021-10-17 to 2026-10-17.
- Only entries with a valid three-lift total; excludes disqualifications, doping disqualifications, no-shows and guest lifters.
- Weight class from recorded bodyweight at that meet, mapped to IPF open weight classes.
- Each lifter counted once per cohort (sex category, age band, weight class, lift): their best result in that cohort. Squat, bench and deadlift bests can come from different meets; totals are always a single meet total.
- Age bands 18-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+ from age on meet day; entries with missing or band-straddling approximate ages are excluded.
- Men's (M) and women's (F) competition categories only.
- Totals only where all three lifts succeeded (TotalKg present).
That leaves 391,666 meet entries. Your result is compared with one cohort: same competition category, age band and IPF weight class. Cohorts with fewer than 100 lifters show a count but no percentile.
Two real cohorts
| Cohort | Lifters | 10th | Median | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men 18–39, up to 83 kg, squat | 25,779 | 152.5 | 195 | 240 |
| Women 18–39, up to 63 kg, bench press | 9,197 | 45 | 62.5 | 83 |
What this comparison cannot tell you
- It is not the general population. Competitors chose the sport, usually trained for it for years, and lifted under referees. We don't have a representative general-population dataset for these lifts; for example, the muscle-strength measure in the US NHANES 2011–2014 surveys was a grip test, not barbell lifts.
- Gym lifts are not meet lifts. Competition squats must hit depth, benches are paused, and every lift needs referee commands. A gym max that skips these will look better here than it would on a platform.
- "Tested" describes the category. OpenPowerlifting marks entries in drug-tested categories; that does not mean every lifter was tested.
- Percentiles are approximate. Approximate share of lifters in the cohort whose best result is at or below the value, found by interpolating between 99 stored percentiles (p1-p99, linear type 7) and shown as a whole number.
- The data are hand-entered. OpenPowerlifting notes that results are typed in from meet records, so errors and delays happen.
- Ratios are not ranks. Lift ÷ bodyweight favours lighter lifters, because strength does not grow in proportion to bodyweight. Use ratios to track yourself over time.
How entries were excluded
Each excluded entry is counted once, under the first filter it failed, in the order listed.
| First filter failed | Entries |
|---|---|
| outside date window | 2,679,259 |
| not the Raw equipment category | 459,990 |
| not a full-power (SBD) entry | 257,648 |
| missing, under-18 or band-straddling age | 139,142 |
| DQ, doping DQ, no-show or guest | 27,382 |
| missing bodyweight | 128 |
| not a drug-tested category | 94,947 |
| Mx category (too few entries for cohorts) | 86 |
| Kept | 391,666 |
The aggregation script, its tests and the filters are part of this site's source code, so the numbers can be regenerated from any later snapshot. No names or individual results are published here.
Getting a fair number to enter
Use a recent best performed to a competition standard. If you only have a rep set, estimate it with the 1RM calculator and remember an estimate is not a tested max. For context on what these comparisons mean, read technique priorities for the squat, bench and deadlift and pick a plan from the program library.
FAQ
Why not use the strength standards tables I see elsewhere?
Many tables come from self-reported calculator entries or unpublished methods. Self-reported numbers skew toward people proud of their lifts and use no common standard. We would rather show a smaller, clearly described sample than an unexplained one.
Can I compare an equipped or untested lift?
Not with this tool. Mixing equipment and testing categories would make the cohorts less comparable.
Is my data stored?
No. The comparison runs in your browser using a published aggregate file. Your bodyweight and lifts are never sent anywhere or included in analytics.
Sources
- This page uses data from the OpenPowerlifting project, https://www.openpowerlifting.org. You may download a copy of the data at https://gitlab.com/openpowerlifting/opl-data. Data contributed to the public domain; snapshot 2026-10-17, revision c7782562, data service updated 2026-10-16.
- OpenPowerlifting, bulk CSV documentation (field definitions for Tested, Equipment, Place and failed attempts).
- CDC, NHANES 2013–2014 Muscle Strength – Grip Test (MGX_H) (an example of a national survey strength measure: grip, not barbell lifts).
- International Powerlifting Federation, Technical Rules (weight classes and competition standards).
Method and copy last reviewed . See our editorial policy. Educational information, not medical or coaching advice.