The finding in one sentence
In verified raw competition data, the median male lifter in the 83 kg (183 lb) class squats about 408 lb, benches about 276 lb, and deadlifts about 480 lb (Fitness Volt, OpenPowerlifting).
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What Are Powerlifting Strength Percentiles?
A strength percentile tells you what share of competitive lifters you out-lift. This study reports raw squat, bench press, and deadlift percentiles by bodyweight class, calculated directly from verified competition results in the public OpenPowerlifting dataset.
For a raw male lifter in the 83 kg (183 lb) class, the median (50th-percentile) competition lifts are approximately 408 lb squat (2.23x the class limit), 276 lb bench (1.51x), and 480 lb deadlift (2.62x). Reaching the 90th percentile in this class means roughly a 2.8x squat, 1.9x bench, and 3.19x deadlift.
Every figure below is a competition lift, judged for depth (squat), pause (bench), and lockout (all lifts). These numbers run lower than self-reported gym surveys because partial reps and inflated estimates are filtered out.
The Big Three at the 90th Percentile (Men, Raw)
Competition squat, bench press, and deadlift for a 90th-percentile (top 10%) raw male lifter, by bodyweight class. The deadlift leads and the bench trails - the classic powerlifting hierarchy, straight from the verified data below.
Squat Percentiles by Bodyweight Class (Men, Raw)
The table shows the 50th-, 90th-, and 95th-percentile raw squat in pounds for each weight class, with the bodyweight-multiple (lift divided by the class limit) in parentheses. Across 335,130 verified men's competition lifts in these classes.
| Weight Class | 50th pct (median) | 90th pct | 95th pct | Samples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 kg (146 lb) | 336 lb (2.31x) | 430 lb (2.95x) | 463 lb (3.18x) | 28,027 |
| 74 kg (163 lb) | 375 lb (2.3x) | 474 lb (2.91x) | 502 lb (3.07x) | 55,467 |
| 83 kg (183 lb) | 408 lb (2.23x) | 513 lb (2.8x) | 540 lb (2.95x) | 78,720 |
| 93 kg (205 lb) | 441 lb (2.15x) | 551 lb (2.69x) | 579 lb (2.82x) | 80,609 |
| 105 kg (231 lb) | 468 lb (2.02x) | 584 lb (2.52x) | 617 lb (2.67x) | 60,327 |
| 120 kg (265 lb) | 502 lb (1.9x) | 628 lb (2.38x) | 667 lb (2.52x) | 31,980 |
Raw equipment only. Multiples are the lift divided by the weight-class limit. Source: OpenPowerlifting (opl-csv), accessed 2026.
Squat Percentiles by Bodyweight Class (Women, Raw)
The table shows the 50th-, 90th-, and 95th-percentile raw squat in pounds for each weight class, with the bodyweight-multiple (lift divided by the class limit) in parentheses. Across 139,234 verified women's competition lifts in these classes.
| Weight Class | 50th pct (median) | 90th pct | 95th pct | Samples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 kg (115 lb) | 204 lb (1.78x) | 270 lb (2.36x) | 292 lb (2.55x) | 22,833 |
| 57 kg (126 lb) | 226 lb (1.8x) | 293 lb (2.33x) | 314 lb (2.5x) | 25,812 |
| 63 kg (139 lb) | 237 lb (1.71x) | 309 lb (2.22x) | 331 lb (2.38x) | 36,890 |
| 69 kg (152 lb) | 270 lb (1.78x) | 347 lb (2.28x) | 366 lb (2.41x) | 16,436 |
| 76 kg (168 lb) | 281 lb (1.68x) | 364 lb (2.17x) | 391 lb (2.34x) | 13,371 |
| 84 kg (185 lb) | 270 lb (1.46x) | 358 lb (1.93x) | 386 lb (2.08x) | 23,892 |
Raw equipment only. Multiples are the lift divided by the weight-class limit. Source: OpenPowerlifting (opl-csv), accessed 2026.
Bench Press Percentiles by Bodyweight Class (Men, Raw)
The table shows the 50th-, 90th-, and 95th-percentile raw bench press in pounds for each weight class, with the bodyweight-multiple (lift divided by the class limit) in parentheses. Across 418,580 verified men's competition lifts in these classes.
| Weight Class | 50th pct (median) | 90th pct | 95th pct | Samples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 kg (146 lb) | 220 lb (1.52x) | 292 lb (2.01x) | 314 lb (2.16x) | 36,129 |
| 74 kg (163 lb) | 248 lb (1.52x) | 320 lb (1.96x) | 342 lb (2.09x) | 68,988 |
| 83 kg (183 lb) | 276 lb (1.51x) | 347 lb (1.9x) | 369 lb (2.02x) | 96,625 |
| 93 kg (205 lb) | 292 lb (1.42x) | 375 lb (1.83x) | 397 lb (1.94x) | 98,621 |
| 105 kg (231 lb) | 320 lb (1.38x) | 402 lb (1.74x) | 430 lb (1.86x) | 75,965 |
| 120 kg (265 lb) | 342 lb (1.29x) | 435 lb (1.65x) | 463 lb (1.75x) | 42,252 |
Raw equipment only. Multiples are the lift divided by the weight-class limit. Source: OpenPowerlifting (opl-csv), accessed 2026.
Bench Press Percentiles by Bodyweight Class (Women, Raw)
The table shows the 50th-, 90th-, and 95th-percentile raw bench press in pounds for each weight class, with the bodyweight-multiple (lift divided by the class limit) in parentheses. Across 169,374 verified women's competition lifts in these classes.
| Weight Class | 50th pct (median) | 90th pct | 95th pct | Samples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 kg (115 lb) | 116 lb (1.01x) | 160 lb (1.39x) | 176 lb (1.54x) | 31,117 |
| 57 kg (126 lb) | 127 lb (1.01x) | 176 lb (1.4x) | 193 lb (1.54x) | 31,183 |
| 63 kg (139 lb) | 132 lb (0.95x) | 182 lb (1.31x) | 198 lb (1.43x) | 44,211 |
| 69 kg (152 lb) | 149 lb (0.98x) | 198 lb (1.3x) | 216 lb (1.42x) | 19,018 |
| 76 kg (168 lb) | 154 lb (0.92x) | 209 lb (1.25x) | 231 lb (1.38x) | 15,449 |
| 84 kg (185 lb) | 149 lb (0.8x) | 204 lb (1.1x) | 226 lb (1.22x) | 28,396 |
Raw equipment only. Multiples are the lift divided by the weight-class limit. Source: OpenPowerlifting (opl-csv), accessed 2026.
Deadlift Percentiles by Bodyweight Class (Men, Raw)
The table shows the 50th-, 90th-, and 95th-percentile raw deadlift in pounds for each weight class, with the bodyweight-multiple (lift divided by the class limit) in parentheses. Across 343,292 verified men's competition lifts in these classes.
| Weight Class | 50th pct (median) | 90th pct | 95th pct | Samples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 kg (146 lb) | 408 lb (2.8x) | 507 lb (3.48x) | 535 lb (3.67x) | 28,574 |
| 74 kg (163 lb) | 446 lb (2.74x) | 551 lb (3.38x) | 577 lb (3.53x) | 56,787 |
| 83 kg (183 lb) | 480 lb (2.62x) | 584 lb (3.19x) | 617 lb (3.37x) | 80,506 |
| 93 kg (205 lb) | 507 lb (2.47x) | 617 lb (3.01x) | 645 lb (3.15x) | 82,658 |
| 105 kg (231 lb) | 529 lb (2.29x) | 639 lb (2.76x) | 672 lb (2.9x) | 61,964 |
| 120 kg (265 lb) | 551 lb (2.08x) | 667 lb (2.52x) | 705 lb (2.67x) | 32,803 |
Raw equipment only. Multiples are the lift divided by the weight-class limit. Source: OpenPowerlifting (opl-csv), accessed 2026.
Deadlift Percentiles by Bodyweight Class (Women, Raw)
The table shows the 50th-, 90th-, and 95th-percentile raw deadlift in pounds for each weight class, with the bodyweight-multiple (lift divided by the class limit) in parentheses. Across 146,370 verified women's competition lifts in these classes.
| Weight Class | 50th pct (median) | 90th pct | 95th pct | Samples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 kg (115 lb) | 254 lb (2.21x) | 326 lb (2.85x) | 347 lb (3.03x) | 26,427 |
| 57 kg (126 lb) | 276 lb (2.19x) | 347 lb (2.76x) | 369 lb (2.94x) | 26,530 |
| 63 kg (139 lb) | 292 lb (2.1x) | 364 lb (2.62x) | 386 lb (2.78x) | 38,128 |
| 69 kg (152 lb) | 320 lb (2.1x) | 397 lb (2.61x) | 419 lb (2.75x) | 16,867 |
| 76 kg (168 lb) | 331 lb (1.97x) | 408 lb (2.43x) | 437 lb (2.61x) | 13,734 |
| 84 kg (185 lb) | 320 lb (1.73x) | 402 lb (2.17x) | 424 lb (2.29x) | 24,684 |
Raw equipment only. Multiples are the lift divided by the weight-class limit. Source: OpenPowerlifting (opl-csv), accessed 2026.
Why Do Bodyweight-Multiples Fall in Heavier Classes?
Heavier lifters move more absolute weight but less relative to their bodyweight - a consistent finding across every lift in the competition data. A 90th-percentile raw male squat is about 2.95x bodyweight in the 66 kg class but drops to about 2.38x in the 120 kg class. The same pattern holds for the deadlift, where the 90th-percentile multiple falls from roughly 3.48x to 2.52x across the same range.
This is the well-documented allometric scaling of strength: muscle cross-sectional area grows more slowly than bodyweight, so per-kilogram strength declines as lifters get bigger. It is why coefficient systems like Wilks and DOTS exist - to compare lifters fairly across weight classes.
How Was This Analysis Conducted?
Percentiles are computed from the public OpenPowerlifting dataset, the largest open database of powerlifting competition results, with results from 200+ federations worldwide. We restrict this study to:
- Raw equipment only - no supportive bench shirts, squat suits, or wraps, so the numbers reflect unassisted strength.
- The three competition lifts - squat, bench press, and deadlift - because those are the only lifts the dataset records.
- The highest-sample weight classes per sex (each curated class here contains thousands to tens of thousands of verified entries), dropping small or contaminated classes.
Within each class we report the 50th, 90th, and 95th percentile of the best competition lift. Bodyweight-multiples are calculated as the percentile lift divided by the weight-class limit, so they describe strength relative to the top of the class rather than any single measured bodyweight. Weights are stored in kilograms and converted to pounds at 1 kg = 2.2046 lb.
Because all data comes from judged competition, partial reps and inflated self-reports are excluded, which is why these percentiles sit below typical gym-survey figures.
How Can You Use This Data?
Find your weight class and bodyweight-multiple in the tables above, then use the matching calculator to get your exact percentile:
- Squat percentile calculator - enter your 1RM and bodyweight to see where you rank.
- Bench Press percentile calculator - same OpenPowerlifting-backed percentiles, scored instantly.
- Deadlift percentile calculator - compare your pull against verified competition data.
- Browse all strength standards - tables by bodyweight and age for every exercise.
Cite This Study
Press-ready stat: "In the raw 83 kg (183 lb) class, the median competition lifts are about 408 lb squat, 276 lb bench, and 480 lb deadlift (OpenPowerlifting, 2026)."
APA
Fitness Volt. (2026). Powerlifting Strength Percentiles by Bodyweight Class. Retrieved from https://fitnessvolt.com/strength-standards/research/powerlifting-strength-percentiles/
MLA
Fitness Volt. "Powerlifting Strength Percentiles by Bodyweight Class." Fitness Volt, 2026, https://fitnessvolt.com/strength-standards/research/powerlifting-strength-percentiles/.
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Download the Data
Get the full table behind this study as a spreadsheet-ready CSV. The download matches the numbers shown on this page exactly. Please credit Fitness Volt and link back to this page when you use the data.
Direct link: https://fitnessvolt.com/wp-json/rpe-training/v1/standards/research-csv/powerlifting-strength-percentiles
About This Research
Powerlifting Strength Percentiles is published by Fitness Volt and is based on the public OpenPowerlifting dataset of verified raw competition results. All percentiles are computed for raw squat, bench press, and deadlift across standard weight classes, and bodyweight-multiples are reported relative to each class limit. Figures are updated as new competition data is imported.
Common Questions
What is a good squat, bench, or deadlift percentile?
The 50th percentile is the median competitive lifter, the 90th percentile beats nine out of ten competitors in the same raw weight class, and the 95th percentile is genuinely elite. Use the tables above to find the threshold for your class.
Why are these numbers lower than gym strength standards?
These percentiles come only from judged competition lifts in the OpenPowerlifting dataset, which excludes partial reps, bounced bench presses, and inflated self-reports common in gym surveys.
Does this cover equipped lifting?
No. To reflect unassisted strength, this study uses raw entries only - no bench shirts, squat suits, or wraps.
What does the bodyweight-multiple mean?
It is the percentile lift divided by the weight-class limit. A 2.8x squat in the 83 kg class means the lift is about 2.8 times the class ceiling. Multiples fall in heavier classes because per-kilogram strength declines with bodyweight.
