Barbell Dimensions: Length, Diameter, Sleeves and Weight
For lifters buying a bar, checking whether plates and a rack will fit, or working out what the bar on the floor weighs. Competition specs from the IWF and IPF, with the typical sizes of standard and specialty bars.
A men's Olympic barbell is 2200 mm (86.6 in, about 7.2 ft) long and weighs 20 kg (44.1 lb), with a 28 mm (1.10 in) shaft and 50 mm (1.97 in) sleeves. The women's Olympic bar is 2010 mm (79.1 in) long, weighs 15 kg (33.1 lb) and has a 25 mm (0.98 in) shaft. Both have 1310 mm (51.6 in) between the inner collars.
- Men's bar length
- 2200 mm (86.6 in)
- Men's bar weight
- 20 kg (44.1 lb)
- Shaft diameter
- 28 mm (1.10 in)
- Sleeve diameter
- 50 mm (1.97 in)
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Olympic barbell dimensions
Competition bars are defined by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) for the snatch and clean and jerk, and by the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) for squat, bench and deadlift. Most gym bars are built to one of these patterns.
| Measurement | Men's weightlifting (IWF) | Women's weightlifting (IWF) | Power bar (IPF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 20 kg (44.1 lb) | 15 kg (33.1 lb) | 20 kg (44.1 lb) |
| Overall length | 2200 mm (86.6 in) | 2010 mm (79.1 in) | 2200 mm max (86.6 in) |
| Shaft diameter | 28 mm (1.10 in) | 25 mm (0.98 in) | 28-29 mm (1.10-1.14 in) |
| Between inner collars | 1310 mm (51.6 in) | 1310 mm (51.6 in) | 1310-1320 mm (51.6-52.0 in) |
| Sleeve diameter | 50 mm (1.97 in) | 50 mm (1.97 in) | 50 mm (1.97 in) |
| Loadable sleeve (approx.) | 415 mm (16.3 in) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | About 415 mm (16.3 in) |
| Grip marks apart | 910 mm (35.8 in) | 910 mm (35.8 in) | 810 mm (31.9 in) |
| Center knurl | Yes | No | Yes |
The women's bar is shorter only at the sleeves. The space between the collars is the same 1310 mm, so both bars sit in the same racks. Each competition collar weighs 2.5 kg, so a loaded men's bar with collars starts at 25 kg (55.1 lb).
Barbell diameter: shaft and sleeves
"Barbell diameter" can mean two things. The shaft (where you grip) is thin; the sleeves (where plates go) are 50 mm on every Olympic bar.
- 25 mm (0.98 in): women's weightlifting bars and many youth or technique bars.
- 28 mm (1.10 in): men's weightlifting bars and most multipurpose gym bars. Rogue's Ohio Bar is 28.5 mm.
- 29 mm (1.14 in): power bars. Thicker and stiffer, so the bar bends less under heavy squats and bench presses.
- 27 mm (1.06 in): deadlift bars, which are thinner and slightly longer (often around 90 in) so they flex off the floor.
- About 25 to 29 mm, end to end: standard 1-inch bars, which have no separate sleeve.
A 1 mm difference sounds trivial but is noticeable: going from 29 mm to 28 mm reduces the circumference your hand wraps around by about 3 mm. Lifters with small hands often hold a 25 mm or 28 mm bar more securely in the hook grip.
Standard (1-inch) barbell sizes
Standard bars are the solid, non-rotating bars sold with home weight sets. They are thinner, lighter and shorter than Olympic bars and take plates with a 1 in (about 27 to 31 mm) hole.
| Length | In cm | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 4 ft | 122 cm | Curls, triceps work, small spaces |
| 5 ft | 152 cm | Starter sets, floor presses, rows |
| 6 ft | 183 cm | The usual home-set bar; fits most bench uprights |
| 7 ft | 213 cm | Wide-upright benches and squat stands |
Standard bars typically weigh 4 to 10 kg (9 to 22 lb), the longer ones at the top of that range. Weights vary by brand, so read the label rather than assuming. Standard bars are seldom rated above a few hundred pounds; once you are pressing or squatting over about 200 lb, an Olympic bar and plates are the safer setup.
Specialty bar sizes
These are not standardized, so the figures are typical ranges for current Olympic-sleeve versions. Check the manufacturer's spec before you count the bar in your total.
| Bar | Typical length | Typical weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EZ curl bar | 47-52 in (120-132 cm) | 15-25 lb (7-11 kg) | Angled grip for curls and skull crushers |
| Trap / hex bar | 56-90 in (142-229 cm) | 45-75 lb (20-34 kg) | Open-back and long-sleeve designs are at the long end |
| Safety squat bar | About 85-90 in (216-229 cm) | 60-70 lb (27-32 kg) | Padded yoke with forward handles |
| Deadlift bar | About 90 in (229 cm) | 20 kg (44.1 lb) | 27 mm shaft, extra whip |
| Short Olympic bar | 5-6 ft (152-183 cm) | Usually 15-35 lb (7-16 kg) | For tight rooms; does not fit standard racks |
A short Olympic bar has far less than the full bar's 51.6 in between its collars, often too little to straddle a power rack, which is typically 47 to 49 in wide outside. Check the collar gap before buying one for rack work, and use it mainly for floor lifts and narrow-upright benches.
Barbell weight in kg and lb
Gyms in the US label bars as 45 lb, but a true 20 kg bar weighs 44.09 lb. The 0.9 lb difference matters only for record attempts. Quick reference:
- 20 kg men's bar: 44.1 lb (usually called 45 lb).
- 15 kg women's bar: 33.1 lb (usually called 35 lb).
- 10 kg technique or junior bar: 22.0 lb.
- Competition collars: 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) each, so a men's bar plus collars is 25 kg (55.1 lb).
Spring clips weigh only a few ounces and are normally ignored. Plate sizes and how many fit on each sleeve are in the weight plate size guide.
Space needed to use a barbell
The bar is longer than most people expect. A men's bar needs at least 7.2 ft of width, plus room to slide plates on and off each end.
- Width: 86.6 in of bar plus about 18 to 24 in at each end to load plates gives roughly 10 to 11 ft (3 to 3.4 m) of clear wall-to-wall width.
- Depth: a rack or bench station needs about 4 to 7 ft front to back, plus room to step back from the rack with the bar on your shoulders.
- Height: standing presses need your overhead reach plus the radius of the plates (about 9 in for 450 mm plates) under the ceiling.
Rack widths, J-cup spacing and ceiling heights are covered in the power rack size guide, bench sizes in the weight bench dimensions guide, and full room layouts in the home gym size guide.
How to identify a barbell
- Measure the sleeve. About 2 in (50 mm) means Olympic. If the bar is the same thickness all the way along, it is a standard bar.
- Measure the overall length. 86.6 in (220 cm) is a men's or power bar; 79.1 in (201 cm) is a women's bar.
- Measure the shaft with calipers. 25 mm points to a women's bar, 28 mm to a weightlifting or multipurpose bar, 29 mm to a power bar.
- Check the grip marks. Rings 910 mm (35.8 in) apart are weightlifting marks; 810 mm (31.9 in) apart are powerlifting marks. Many gym bars have both.
- Weigh it. Stand on a scale holding the bar and subtract your body weight. It settles whether a mystery bar is 15 kg, 20 kg or 45 lb.
For lighter free weights, see dumbbell sizes.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an Olympic barbell in feet?
A men's Olympic bar is 2.2 m, which is 7.2 ft (7 ft 2.6 in). It is often called a "7-foot bar". The women's bar is 2.01 m, or 6.6 ft (6 ft 7.1 in).
What size barbell should a woman use?
In weightlifting and CrossFit, women use the 15 kg bar: 2010 mm (79.1 in) long with a 25 mm shaft that is easier to grip and hook. In powerlifting there is no women's bar; everyone uses the 20 kg power bar.
What is the loadable sleeve length of an Olympic barbell?
About 415 mm (16.3 in) on a men's bar and about 320 mm (12.6 in) on a women's bar. Individual bars vary by a few millimeters; Rogue's Ohio Bar lists 16.40 in. Specialty deadlift bars and short bars differ more.
Is a standard barbell the same as an Olympic barbell?
No. A standard or 1-inch bar has the same thickness from end to end, roughly 25 to 29 mm, and takes plates with a hole of about 1 in. It usually weighs 4 to 10 kg (9 to 22 lb) and is rarely rated for more than a few hundred pounds. Olympic plates do not fit it securely.
How wide is a barbell compared with a doorway or rack?
At 86.6 in, a men's bar is wider than any standard doorway, so carry it through on end. In a rack, the 51.6 in (1310 mm) gap between the inner collars must clear the uprights; most racks are about 47 to 49 in wide outside.