Why doesn't my gym have 2.5 lb plates?

Small plates often get lost, take up storage space, or get skipped in budget orders. If you do not have 2.5 lb plates, expect larger weight jumps. For warmups, use the nearest lower load and keep the sets easy.

How should I warm up for a 1RM attempt?

Warm up by gradually increasing weight while reducing reps. Take longer rests as the weight gets heavier and stop if anything feels off. The Strength warmup style in this tool is a good default for heavy singles.

What if my target weight is not loadable?

This plate calculator will suggest the closest achievable weight based on your available plates. For warmup sets, follow the rule: use the nearest lower weight. For work sets, most lifters use the closest achievable load and adjust their plan as needed.

Free tool45 lb / 20 kg barWarmup sets

Deadlift Warmup Calculator

Use this plate calculator (barbell plate calculator) to see how many plates to put on each side and generate warmup sets for a target weight. Enter your target weight (total on the bar), choose your bar type (45 lb or 20 kg), and select the plate sizes your gym has. You'll get plates per side, final loaded weight, and a warmup sets calculator. If your target isn't loadable, we show the closest weight and use the nearest lower load for warmups. US units default with a metric toggle.

Methods & assumptions

This variant focuses on Deadlift Warmup Calculator.

This barbell plate calculator tells you what plates to put on each side of the bar to reach a target weight (total weight on the bar). It also generates warmup sets using the same bar weight and plate availability.

Results explained

Final loaded weight (total): the weight you can actually load with your selected plates. If the exact target is not loadable, this may be slightly over or under your target.
Nearest lower / higher: when your target is not loadable, the tool also shows the nearest lower and nearest higher weights so you can decide how to adjust your plan.
Load each side: the plates to put on one side of the bar. Load the same plates on both sides.
Warmup sets: a percentage-based progression based on the base weight shown in the results. Each set is rounded down to a loadable weight based on your plate selection to avoid overshooting.

How the math works

Formula: total plate weight = target weight - bar weight.
Per side = (target weight - bar weight) / 2.
The tool searches plate combinations per side using only the plate sizes you selected (assumes matching pairs).
If an exact match is not loadable, it suggests the closest achievable weight and shows the nearest lower and nearest higher options. For warmup sets, it follows this rule: If you cannot load exactly, use the nearest lower weight for warmup sets. and rounds each warmup set down to a loadable weight.

Simple

5 reps at 40, 55, 70, 85 percent.