Rate of Perceived Exertion

Fitness / 02

RPE is how many reps you had left. Give it a set and an effort and it tells you what share of your max that was, and how far to trust it.

Reps in the set

reps

1 to 12.

RPE

10 is nothing left. 8 is two reps left.

Your 1RM (optional)

Turns the percentage into a weight for the bar.

Units

Share of your max—Enter the reps in the set to see the percentage.

Likely range—

Reps in reserve—

Working load—

Load range—

Point value from the published RIR-based RPE table (Zourdos 2016, Helms 2016). The range is how accurately lifters actually rate reps in reserve.

The scale, at this rep count

RPE 6RPE 10

RPE 10 · 0 in reserveMaximal. No more reps possible.—

RPE 9.5 · 0.5 in reserveCould maybe manage one more.—

RPE 9 · 1 in reserveOne rep left in the tank.—

RPE 8.5 · 1.5 in reserveOne certain, possibly two.—

RPE 8 · 2 in reserveTwo reps left.—

RPE 7.5 · 2.5 in reserveTwo certain, possibly three.—

RPE 7 · 3 in reserveThree reps left. Weight moves quickly.—

RPE 6.5 · 3.5 in reserveThree certain, possibly four.—

RPE 6 · 4 in reserveFour or more left. Warm-up territory.—

RPE is a feel, so treat the number as a starting point. Heavy sets close to failure are rated accurately. Long sets with a lot left in the tank are often a few reps off. The range says how far to trust it.

More numbers.

Calculator

Heart Rate Zones

Two numbers in, five zones out. Pick how hard you plan to go and get the heart rate to hold.

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Calculator

Reps in Reserve

Log a set with reps left in the tank and see the max it points to.

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Calculator

1–10 RM

A set to failure, and what that strength looks like from one rep to ten.

Open the calculator