Olympic plate colors: the complete guide

Competition plates follow the color code of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). Knowing the colors lets you read the load on a bar without walking over to check the numbers.

Main plates

• 25 kg — red (55 lb)
• 20 kg — blue (44 lb)
• 15 kg — yellow (33 lb)
• 10 kg — green (22 lb)
• 5 kg — white (11 lb)

Change plates

The small plates (2.5 / 2 / 1.5 / 1 / 0.5 kg) repeat the same color sequence at a smaller size and are used to adjust the load in fine increments during competition.

What about regular gyms?

Outside competition, most plates are black rubber bumpers or bare iron with no color. The IWF code is only mandatory at sanctioned meets, though many pound-denominated bumper sets borrow it: 45 lb blue, 35 lb yellow, 25 lb green, 10 lb white.