The complete RPE chart
Convert RPE to a percentage of your one rep max for every rep count from 1 to 10 and every RPE from 6 to 10. Enter your max to read it in kilograms or pounds — or download the printable PDF.
Free · no email required · print it and tape it inside your logbook
RPE chart: RPE to percentage
Enter a one rep max to turn the percentages into your own working weights.
Read it as: pick your rep count on the left, then the RPE column. The cell is the percentage of your 1RM (or your weight, if you entered a max).
Never look up the chart again
The Android app has the whole RPE chart built in — in your own kilos or pounds, offline, plus the calculator and plate math.
Download on Google Play Launching on Google Play — final testingFree download · Pro is a single one-time unlock · No subscription
What percentage is RPE 8?
RPE 8 is not a single percentage — it depends on the reps. One rep at RPE 8 is about 92% of your 1RM, three reps at RPE 8 is about 86%, five reps is about 81%, and eight reps is about 74%. You always need both the rep count and the RPE.
| Reps at RPE 8 | % of 1RM |
|---|---|
| 1 rep | 92.2% |
| 2 reps | 89.2% |
| 3 reps | 86.3% |
| 4 reps | 83.7% |
| 5 reps | 81.1% |
| 6 reps | 78.6% |
| 8 reps | 73.9% |
How do you convert RPE to percentage?
Find your rep count in the left column of the RPE chart, then read across to your RPE column. The cell gives the percentage of your one rep max. For example, three reps at RPE 9 corresponds to roughly 89% of your 1RM.
How do you read the RPE chart?
The chart maps every combination of reps and RPE to a percentage of your one rep max. Two ways to use it:
1. Find your estimated 1RM
You just did 5 reps at RPE 8 with 150 kg. The chart says that's 81.1%. Divide: 150 ÷ 0.811 ≈ 185 kg estimated 1RM. No max attempt needed.
2. Find the weight for a target set
Your program says 3 reps at RPE 8. The chart says 86.3%. With a 185 kg max: 185 × 0.863 ≈ 160 kg. Round to the nearest plate jump and load the bar.
The RPE scale in one glance
RPE 10 — no reps left in the tank
RPE 9.5 — maybe one more rep
RPE 9 — 1 rep in reserve
RPE 8 — 2 reps in reserve
RPE 7 — 3 reps in reserve
RPE 6 — 4 reps in reserve
Read the full explanation in what is RPE in powerlifting.
Does the chart work for paused and tempo work?
The chart works for any variation, but it has to be applied to that variation's own max, not to your competition max. A 3-second paused squat is typically 85–93% of your competition squat: work out that number first, then read the chart against it.
The same holds for front squats, close grip bench, deficit pulls and board presses — each one has its own max, and pause and tempo push it down further. The typical ranges are in the variation calculator.
RPE chart FAQ
What percentage is RPE 8?
It depends on the reps. 1 rep @ RPE 8 ≈ 92%, 3 reps @ RPE 8 ≈ 86%, 5 reps @ RPE 8 ≈ 81%, 8 reps @ RPE 8 ≈ 74%. RPE alone isn't a percentage — you always need the rep count too.
How accurate is the RPE chart?
It's an estimate built on average rep-to-percentage relationships. It's most reliable between 1 and 6 reps and at RPE 7–10. Higher-rep sets, and newer lifters who can't yet judge reps in reserve, vary more.
Can I download the RPE chart as a PDF?
Yes — download the RPE chart PDF. It's free, needs no email, and is formatted to print on a single page.
Is this the RTS RPE chart?
It follows the same widely used reps-in-reserve model popularised by Reactive Training Systems (Mike Tuchscherer), which has become the standard reference for RPE-based powerlifting programming.