What are IPF GL points?

IPF GL (Goodlift) points are the official International Powerlifting Federation metric for comparing totals across bodyweights. They replaced the older IPF formula and use an exponential function of bodyweight rather than a polynomial.

What is the IPF GL formula?

GL points equal 100 divided by the quantity (A minus B times e to the power of negative C times bodyweight), all multiplied by the total in kilograms. The constants A, B, and C differ by sex and by raw versus equipped lifting.

Why must I use kilograms?

The IPF GL coefficients were fitted to kilogram data and the federation scores exclusively in kilograms. Entering pounds would produce an incorrect points figure, so this tool requires kg inputs.

What is the difference between raw and equipped coefficients?

Equipped lifting uses supportive suits and shirts that add weight to the bar, so a separate, lower-scaling set of constants is used. Selecting the wrong equipment category would over- or under-score the lifter.

What GL points score is competitive?

At international IPF level, podium totals often land above 90 to 100 GL points. Around 70 is a strong regional lifter and 50 to 60 is a solid intermediate, though this varies by event and category.

IPF GL Points Calculator

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The official IPF comparison metric

The International Powerlifting Federation scores its meets with GL points (also called Goodlift points). Where Wilks and DOTS use polynomials, the GL system uses a smooth exponential curve of bodyweight, which the IPF found fit its competition data better — especially at the heavy end. If you compete under IPF rules, GL points are the number on the results sheet.

How it works

The points are computed as:

GL points = 100 / (A − B · e^(−C · bodyweight_kg)) × total_kg

Here e is Euler’s number and the three constants A, B, and C are chosen from a lookup of four categories: men raw, men equipped, women raw, and women equipped. As bodyweight rises, the exponential term shrinks toward zero, so the denominator approaches A and the coefficient flattens out — exactly the behaviour the IPF wanted for super-heavyweights.

Tips and example

A male raw lifter at 93 kg with a 750 kg total: the men’s-raw constants give a denominator around 1.18, so the coefficient is about 84.7 per kilogram-scaled, and the final GL points land near 91 — international podium territory.

Notes: GL points are only meaningful within the same sex and equipment category, so always set those correctly. Because the curve flattens for heavier athletes, lighter lifters gain more points per extra kilogram of total. Use the kilogram total from the platform; never convert from pounds after the fact.