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.
Enter reps and the RPE you'd give the set.
Units
Result
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.