DOTS vs IPF GL points explained
Last updated: 19 October 2026
DOTS and IPF GL ("Goodlift") points both answer the same question: how strong is a lift once you account for bodyweight? They use different formulas, give numbers on very different scales, and are used by different meets.
The short version
| DOTS | IPF GL points | |
|---|---|---|
| Who made it | Tim Konertz, originally for the German KDK Bundesliga (team scoring) | Developed for the IPF; used at IPF events since 1 May 2020 |
| Formula type | 4th-degree polynomial in bodyweight | Exponential curve in bodyweight |
| Separate coefficients for | Men's and women's coefficient sets | Men and women × classic/equipped × full power/bench only |
| Typical scale | Similar to the old Wilks numbers (hundreds) | About 100 = the average elite lifter at that bodyweight |
The two scales aren't comparable. "400 DOTS" and "85 GL" can describe the same lift.
The DOTS formula
DOTS = total × 500 ÷ (a·BW⁴ + b·BW³ + c·BW² + d·BW + e), with BW being bodyweight in kg.
| a | b | c | d | e | Bodyweight range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's coefficients | −0.0000010930 | 0.0007391293 | −0.1918759221 | 24.0900756 | −307.75076 | 40–210 kg |
| Women's coefficients | −0.0000010706 | 0.0005158568 | −0.1126655495 | 13.6175032 | −57.96288 | 40–150 kg |
Outside the bodyweight range, the coefficient at the nearest limit is used.
Sources (checked 19 October 2026): Tim Konertz, "Die DOTS-Formeln – Die neuen Wilks", kraftsport-colonia.de/dots (the original publication); OpenPowerlifting, crates/coefficients/src/dots.rs (gitlab.com/openpowerlifting/opl-data). Both give the same coefficients and limits, and our DOTS Calculator uses the same ones.
The IPF GL formula
GL points = result × 100 ÷ (A − B·e^(−C·BW))
The IPF rounds the coefficient (100 ÷ …) to 6 decimal places before multiplying.
| Category | A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men, classic powerlifting | 1199.72839 | 1025.18162 | 0.00921 |
| Men, equipped powerlifting | 1236.25115 | 1449.21864 | 0.01644 |
| Men, classic bench press | 320.98041 | 281.40258 | 0.01008 |
| Men, equipped bench press | 381.22073 | 733.79378 | 0.02398 |
| Women, classic powerlifting | 610.32796 | 1045.59282 | 0.03048 |
| Women, equipped powerlifting | 758.63878 | 949.31382 | 0.02435 |
| Women, classic bench press | 142.40398 | 442.52671 | 0.04724 |
| Women, equipped bench press | 221.82209 | 357.00377 | 0.02937 |
Source: IPF, "The IPF GL Coefficients for Relative Scoring", May 2020, Table 1 (powerlifting.sport, checked 19 October 2026). The document's heading gives the period May 2020 to 31 December 2023. The 2025 IPF World Classic results still match these coefficients: a 73.81 kg lifter's coefficient is 0.1470, and an 842.5 kg total scores 123.85 points.
Note: these are the latest IPF GL coefficients we could find, from the IPF document covering May 2020 to December 2023. Coefficients can be revised, so check with your federation before relying on a score.
Worked examples (classic powerlifting totals)
| Lifter | Bodyweight | Total | DOTS | IPF GL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man | 83 kg | 600 kg | 405.05 | 83.06 |
| Man | 105 kg | 700 kg | 422.17 | 86.43 |
| Woman | 57 kg | 350 kg | 400.99 | 82.10 |
| Woman | 63 kg | 400 kg | 430.21 | 87.51 |
Each value was calculated from the formulas above and rounded to 2 decimals. As a check, the same code reproduces the 2025 IPF result quoted above (123.85).
What the examples show:
- In these four cases, both formulas rank the lifters in the same order: the 63 kg woman, then the 105 kg man, the 83 kg man and the 57 kg woman.
- The gaps are different sizes. Under DOTS, the 105 kg man is 4.2% ahead of the 83 kg man. Under GL, he's 4.1% ahead. They can also disagree on the order. Take a 66 kg man with a 550 kg total and a 120 kg man with a 750 kg total. DOTS puts the 66 kg man narrowly ahead (430.94 vs 430.73), while GL puts the 120 kg man ahead (87.18 vs 85.74).
- The scales don't convert. You can't turn a DOTS score into a GL score by multiplying it by a fixed number.
Which should you use?
- IPF-sanctioned meet? The IPF uses GL points at its sanctioned events. Use GL, and pick the right category (classic or equipped, full power or bench).
- Comparing with friends, or on a meet that uses DOTS? Use DOTS. It's one formula per sex, so it works for anything.
- Tracking yourself over time? Either works, as long as you stick to one.
Try it in the free DOTS Calculator (IPF points).
Check your numbers and train safely
Points depend on accurate bodyweight and the right category. A one-kilo difference in bodyweight changes the score. Check your inputs, and don't chase a points number by cutting or lifting beyond what's safe for you.
SpreadLift is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IPF or the DOTS author; formulas are reproduced from their published sources.