Calculator
RPE calculator
RPE turns how hard a set felt into a percentage of your 1RM.Enter the reps and the RPE you'd give the set, and this calculator returns the matching %1RM from the RTS chart. Add the weight you used to estimate your 1RM too.
Result
RPE to %1RM chart
Find your rep count down the left, read across to the RPE you'd give the set, and the cell is the percentage of your 1RM that set represents.
| Reps | RPE 10 | RPE 9.5 | RPE 9 | RPE 8.5 | RPE 8 | RPE 7.5 | RPE 7 | RPE 6.5 | RPE 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100.0% | 97.8% | 95.5% | 93.9% | 92.2% | 90.7% | 89.2% | 87.8% | 86.3% |
| 2 | 95.5% | 93.9% | 92.2% | 90.7% | 89.2% | 87.8% | 86.3% | 85.0% | 83.7% |
| 3 | 92.2% | 90.7% | 89.2% | 87.8% | 86.3% | 85.0% | 83.7% | 82.4% | 81.1% |
| 4 | 89.2% | 87.8% | 86.3% | 85.0% | 83.7% | 82.4% | 81.1% | 79.9% | 78.6% |
| 5 | 86.3% | 85.0% | 83.7% | 82.4% | 81.1% | 79.9% | 78.6% | 77.4% | 76.2% |
| 6 | 83.7% | 82.4% | 81.1% | 79.9% | 78.6% | 77.4% | 76.2% | 75.1% | 73.9% |
| 7 | 81.1% | 79.9% | 78.6% | 77.4% | 76.2% | 75.1% | 73.9% | 72.3% | 70.7% |
| 8 | 78.6% | 77.4% | 76.2% | 75.1% | 73.9% | 72.3% | 70.7% | 69.4% | 68.0% |
| 9 | 76.2% | 75.1% | 73.9% | 72.3% | 70.7% | 69.4% | 68.0% | 66.7% | 65.3% |
| 10 | 73.9% | 72.3% | 70.7% | 69.4% | 68.0% | 66.7% | 65.3% | 64.0% | 62.6% |
| 11 | 70.7% | 69.4% | 68.0% | 66.7% | 65.3% | 64.0% | 62.6% | 61.3% | 59.9% |
| 12 | 68.0% | 66.7% | 65.3% | 64.0% | 62.6% | 61.3% | 59.9% | 58.6% | 57.2% |
These are the values from the Reactive Training Systems chart popularised by Mike Tuchscherer. They are averages observed across lifters, not a law: rep strength varies by athlete and by lift, so treat the chart as a starting calibration and adjust it to what your own logs show.
Worked example
A set of 5 reps at RPE 8 (two reps left in the tank) sits at about 81% of your 1RM. If those 5 reps were 100 kg, your estimated 1RM is around 123.5 kg.
Frequently asked questions
What does RPE mean in strength training?
RPE is Rate of Perceived Exertion on a 1–10 scale. In lifting it usually means reps in reserve: an RPE 8 set leaves about 2 reps in the tank, RPE 9 leaves 1, and RPE 10 is a true maximum effort.
How is RPE converted to a percentage of 1RM?
This calculator uses the Reactive Training Systems (Tuchscherer) chart, which maps each reps-and-RPE combination to an average percentage of 1RM observed across lifters.
Is RPE better than percentages for programming?
They complement each other. Percentages are objective but ignore daily readiness; RPE adapts to how you feel that day. Many coaches program a percentage and let RPE fine-tune the actual load.