All four formulas express the same relationship: the more reps you can do at a given weight, the smaller that weight is as a percentage of your 1RM. Epley's formula (1RM = w × (1 + r/30)) is the most-cited and accurate across the typical 1-10 rep range. Brzycki (1RM = w × 36 / (37 − r)) tends to slightly underestimate at low reps and overestimate at high reps. Lombardi and O'Conner give a third and fourth perspective; their average smooths individual formula biases.
Accuracy is highest at 2-10 reps to failure. Below 2 reps, you're essentially testing 1RM directly. Above 10 reps, fatigue accumulates non-linearly, form breaks down, and energy systems shift from anaerobic to aerobic - making 1RM extrapolation unreliable. For best results, work up to a weight you can complete 3-6 strict reps with at full effort (RPE 9-10), then feed those numbers into the calculator.
Strength percentages of 1RM map roughly: 100% = 1 rep, 95% = 2 reps, 90% = 4 reps, 85% = 6 reps, 80% = 8 reps, 75% = 10 reps, 70% = 12 reps, 65% = 15 reps, 60% = 20 reps. These are approximate; individual variation is ±5-10%. Compound lifts (squat, deadlift, bench press) follow these percentages reliably; isolation lifts (curl, lateral raise) sometimes diverge - fewer total muscle fibres recruit per rep, so percentages skew slightly.