What is a DOTS score?
DOTS (Dynamic Objective Team Scoring) is a formula that adjusts a powerlifting total for bodyweight, so a 60 kg lifter and a 120 kg lifter can be ranked on one list. It's used by many federations and by OpenPowerlifting to pick best lifters across weight classes.
The score is your total multiplied by 500, divided by a fourth-degree polynomial of your bodyweight in kilograms, with separate coefficients for men and women. Bodyweight is capped at 40–210 kg for men and 40–150 kg for women.
For example, a man weighing 83 kg with a 600 kg total scores 405.1 DOTS. The same total at 105 kg scores 361.9, because the heavier lifter is expected to lift more. A woman weighing 63 kg with a 400 kg total scores 430.2.
Questions
What is a good DOTS score?
As a rough guide among drug-tested lifters: under 300 is typical for newer lifters, 300–400 is a solid intermediate, 400–500 is a strong competitive lifter, and scores above 500 are elite, national to international level.
What's the difference between DOTS and Wilks?
Both scale a total by bodyweight. Wilks dates from the 1990s and was found to favor some weight classes over others. DOTS was fitted to more recent meet results and is more even across bodyweights, so many federations replaced Wilks with it. Some use IPF GL points instead, a separate formula that also depends on equipment and event.
Can I use DOTS for a single lift?
The coefficients were fitted to full totals, but some meets also use them on single lifts such as a bench-only score. Treat a single-lift DOTS as a rough comparison.
How do I find my total?
Add your best squat, bench press and deadlift. If you haven't tested them, estimate each from a recent hard set with the 1RM calculator, or from a set and its effort with the RPE calculator.