Bars and plates
Trap Bar Weight
Updated 1 Nov 2026 · Method: typical bar weights compared across equipment specifications
Most trap bars weigh about 45 to 75 lb (20 to 34 kg), with 55 to 60 lb a common middle. Enter your bar and the plates on each side to get the total load.
Worked example
- Plates on one side: 70.0 lb
- Both sides: 70.0 × 2 = 140.0 lb
- Add the bar: 140.0 + 55.0 = 195.0 lb
Trap bar (hex bar) weights
| Bar | Typical weight (lb) | Typical weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Light open or standard trap bar | about 35 to 45 | about 16 to 20 |
| Typical gym trap bar | about 45 to 65 (55 to 60 is common) | about 20 to 30 |
| Heavy-duty or open-ended trap bar | about 75 or more | about 34 or more |
Trap bars vary more than straight bars. Weigh the empty bar once and write the number down.
Why trap bars vary so much
A trap bar, also called a hex bar, is a frame you stand inside, with two handles at your sides. There is no rule for how heavy it must be, so each design lands where its steel, length and handles put it.
Light or budget bars can weigh about 35 lb. A typical gym bar sits around 45 to 65 lb. Heavy-duty bars and open-ended bars, which have one side open so you can step in from the back, can reach 75 lb or more.
Do not assume it is 45 lb
The most common mistake is to count a trap bar like a straight bar. If your bar really weighs 60 lb and you log it as 45, every entry in your notes is 15 lb short. That error stays hidden until you train on a different bar and the numbers do not match.
Look for a stamp or sticker on the frame first. If there is none, weigh it once on a bathroom scale: weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the empty bar by both handles, and subtract.
High handles and low handles
Many trap bars have two sets of handles at different heights. The high handles shorten the distance you pull, which makes the lift easier and lets you handle more weight. The low handles make you start deeper, closer to a floor pull.
The bar weighs the same either way, but your numbers will not. Write down which handles you used next to each set, or keep two separate records.
Comparing it with a straight bar deadlift
With the load at your sides instead of in front of your shins, the trap bar lift moves differently from a straight bar deadlift. Your hips, knees and back share the work in another way, so the two numbers are not interchangeable.
Treat the two lifts as separate exercises. If you want an estimate of your straight bar max, use a set done on a regular bar in the deadlift calculator, and see how meet lifters compare in our deadlift standards.
Loading tips
Sleeve length differs between trap bars, and on some bars thick plates fill the sleeves fast. Put the heaviest plates on first and push them all the way in, then add the smaller ones.
Load and unload the bar while it rests on the floor. Keep the two sides within one plate of each other as you work, so the frame does not tip toward the heavy side.
Related pages
Smith Machine Bar Weight, How Much Does an EZ Bar Weigh, How Much Does a Barbell Weigh, Dumbbell Weight Chart
Questions
How much does a trap bar weigh in kg?
Most are about 20 to 34 kg, and many gym bars land near 25 to 27 kg. A light model can be about 16 kg.
What does the example on this page total?
It assumes a 55 lb bar with one 45 and one 25 lb plate on each side. That is 140 lb of plates, so 195 lb in total.
Should I count the bar in my log?
Yes, count the full weight you pick up. Just use the real weight of your bar, not 45 lb by habit.
How we calculate: every formula, with its author and year, is on our method page; data sources and their licenses are on sources.
gymnical.com gives estimates from published formulas and public data. It is not medical advice and not a training prescription. Last reviewed November 2026.