FitCalc

Bench Press 1RM Calculator

Estimate your bench press 1RM from a working set, with a percentage chart for programming.

Quick answer: Benching 80 kg for 8 reps implies a 1RM of about 101 kg by the Epley formula. Bench estimates are most accurate from sets of 3–6 reps taken close to failure.

kg
reps

Stop 1–2 reps short of failure for a better estimate.

Estimated 1RM
93 kg
From
80 kg × 5 reps
% 1RMWeight≈ Reps
100%93 kg1
95%89 kg2
90%84 kg5
85%79 kg7
80%75 kg10
75%70 kg12
70%65 kg15
65%61 kg20
Epley93 kg
Brzycki90 kg
Lombardi94 kg
Oconner90 kg
Mayhew95 kg

1RM formulas estimate the most weight you could lift once from a set taken to near failure. Accuracy is best in the 3–6 rep range; at high reps the estimate becomes optimistic. Always use a spotter or safety pins when testing a true max.

Core facts
ExerciseBarbell bench press
InputWeight + reps
Best range3 – 6 reps
Also showsPercentage chart

What is Bench Press Calculator?

The bench press is the most commonly tested upper-body lift, and its 1RM is a familiar benchmark. This calculator estimates it from any hard set. Bench press estimates deserve one extra caveat: the lift varies enormously with grip width, arch, bar path and whether pauses are used, so a 1RM from touch-and-go reps is not the same as a paused competition bench. For programming, consistency matters more than absolute precision — estimate from sets performed the same way each time, and treat the number as your training reference rather than a competition figure.

Common Uses for Bench Press Calculator

  • Estimate bench 1RM from a working set
  • Set bench training loads from percentages
  • Track upper-body strength progress
  • Plan a bench peaking block

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is a bench 1RM estimate?
Within roughly 5% for sets of 3–6 reps. Technique variation in the bench press adds more error than in the squat or deadlift, so use consistent form when testing.
Is a calculated bench 1RM the same as a competition bench?
No. Competition benches use a pause on the chest and stricter rules, which lowers the weight. A touch-and-go estimate will read higher than a paused competition max.
What is a good bench press?
Bench strength scales with body weight and training age. A common intermediate milestone is benching around body weight for a single; advanced lifters exceed 1.5 times body weight.

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