RPE calculator
Enter a weight you lifted, how many reps you did, and how hard that set felt on a 1-10 RPE scale. You'll get an estimated one-rep max based on actual effort, not just reps, plus a full table of training weights at that same RPE across a practical rep range.
Frequently asked questions
What does RPE actually mean?
RPE stands for Rate of Perceived Exertion, a 1-10 scale for how hard a set felt. RPE 10 means you couldn't have done another rep with good form; RPE 8 means you had about 2 more reps left in the tank. It's a way to self-assess intensity without needing a fixed percentage or a spotter.
How is this different from the one-rep max calculator?
The one-rep max calculator assumes the set you enter was taken close to failure. This calculator accounts for a set that wasn't all-out by factoring in how hard it actually felt, so a set of 5 at RPE 7 (a genuinely moderate effort) produces a different, more accurate 1RM estimate than treating it as a near-max set.
Why does the calculator stop at reps-to-failure of 10?
Reps-to-failure is how many reps you performed plus how many more you had left (reps in reserve). Standard RPE charts, including this one, are built from data on sets within about 10 reps of failure, since the relationship between reps and %1RM gets less reliable further out than that. A combination that falls outside that range isn't shown rather than guessed at.
Should I use this or just stick to a fixed percentage program?
Both are legitimate. A fixed percentage (from the percent of 1RM calculator) assumes your max hasn't changed since you last tested it. RPE adjusts for how you actually feel that day, which some lifters prefer since strength naturally fluctuates with sleep, stress, and fatigue. Many programs use a mix of both.