One-Rep-Max Calculator

Estimated One-Rep Max (Average)

231.1 lb

By Formula

  • Epley: 233.3 lb
  • Brzycki: 225 lb
  • Lombardi: 234.9 lb

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Good to Know

These formulas are estimates calibrated against sets of roughly 1-10 reps — they become increasingly unreliable at higher rep counts and do not account for lift type, technique, or individual variation. Always use a spotter and proper form when actually attempting a new one-rep max.

Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, medical, legal, or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.

How This Calculator Works

A one-rep max (1RM) is the heaviest weight you could lift for a single repetition, estimated from a lighter weight you’ve already lifted for multiple reps. Enter the weight lifted and how many reps it took, and this calculator shows the estimate from three long-standing published formulas, plus their average.

None of these formulas is more “correct” than the others — they’re each independently derived and can disagree meaningfully, especially at higher rep counts, which is why all three are shown rather than picking one as the answer.

The Formula

Every formula below uses the same two inputs — weight lifted and reps completed — so the same two colors track the same two quantities across all three:

Epley (1985): 1RM=Weight×(1+Reps30)\text{Epley (1985): 1RM} = \vA{\text{Weight}} \times \left(1 + \frac{\vB{\text{Reps}}}{30}\right) Brzycki (1993): 1RM=Weight×3637Reps\text{Brzycki (1993): 1RM} = \vA{\text{Weight}} \times \frac{36}{37 - \vB{\text{Reps}}} Lombardi (1989): 1RM=Weight×Reps0.10\text{Lombardi (1989): 1RM} = \vA{\text{Weight}} \times \vB{\text{Reps}}^{0.10}

These formulas are calibrated against sets of roughly 1–10 reps — estimates at much higher rep counts become increasingly unreliable, and Brzycki’s formula specifically becomes mathematically invalid at 37 reps or more.

Worked Example

Lifting 200 lbs for 5 reps:

  1. Epley: 200×(1+5÷30)233.3 lbs200 \times (1 + 5 \div 30) \approx 233.3 \text{ lbs}
  2. Brzycki: 200×36÷(375)=225 lbs200 \times 36 \div (37 - 5) = 225 \text{ lbs}
  3. Lombardi: 200×50.10234.9 lbs200 \times 5^{0.10} \approx 234.9 \text{ lbs}
  4. Average: 231.1 lbs\approx 231.1 \text{ lbs}

Source: The Epley (1985), Brzycki (1993), and Lombardi (1989) one-rep-max formulas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do the three formulas give different results?

Epley, Brzycki, and Lombardi are each independently derived from different sets of lifting data, so they weight the relationship between reps and weight slightly differently. None is universally more accurate — the differences tend to grow at higher rep counts.

How accurate is a calculated one-rep max?

These are estimates, not a substitute for an actual tested max — factors like technique, fatigue, and which specific lift you're doing all affect how well the estimate holds up. They're most reliable for sets of about 1-10 reps.

Should I actually attempt my calculated one-rep max?

Use these estimates for programming training percentages (e.g. "work at 80% of your 1RM"), not necessarily as a target to attempt outright — if you do want to test a real one-rep max, always use a spotter and proper warm-up.