Pool Salt Calculator – How Much Salt Do I Need for a Pool?
How Much Salt Do I Need for a Pool? Using a pool salt calculator, you can figure out how much salt you’ll need for your pool.
The procedure of pool salt water testing, the proper quantity of salt in the water, and how to attain it if yours isn’t appropriate are all covered in this tutorial. Keep in mind that for a healthy swimming pool, pool water salt testing should be done at least once a week.

How much salt should go in the pool?
Salt levels in your swimming should be between 2700 to 3400 parts per million (ppm) (parts per million). This range of 3200 ppm, in my opinion, is the optimal quantity.
It can be tough to get the right amount of salt in the pool, but as long as it’s within the range mentioned, the pool is safe to use.
In a swimming pool, how do you measure the salt levels?
Because you can’t test the pool water directly, you’ll need a sample of it first. A sterilized container, such as a jug or other appropriate container, can be used to collect the sample. Before the sun rises and impacts the chlorine levels in the sun water, the sample should be taken early in the morning. Collect the sample from either end of the pool and some distance from the surface.
To get an accurate assessment of the salt in the pool water, use a salt chlorine generator or a salt testing kit after collecting the sample. Keep in mind that each kit has its own set of instructions and precautions that must be followed in order to get an accurate reading.
How do I change the amount of salt in my pool?
The next step is to correct the amount of salt in the water after you’ve obtained the reading. You don’t need to do anything to the pool if it’s between 2700 and 3400 ppm. If it’s less than that, you’ll need to season it with salt to bring it up to the optimal range. You’ll need to change the pool water if it’s higher than that.
How do you figure out how much salt you’ll need?
Before calculating the amount of salt you need to add to your pool, you must first determine its volume. The majority of pools will be rectangular, round, or square, with one shallow end and a deep end. If the pool is a single depth, you may simply use the equations for each shape to compute the volume. The following are the formulas:
- V= 3.142 x r2 x h in a circular pool
- V= L x W x H for a rectangular pool
- V= L3 in a square pool
A particular pool volume calculator, such as this one, is required for pools having shallow and deep ends. To calculate the needed volume, enter the shape, length, breadth, radius, shallow and deep end heights, and then click CALCULATE. The volumes of several types of swimming pools are also shown in the table below:
You’ll need a pool salinity calculator to figure out how much salt you’ll need, which takes into account the pool volume in gallons, the present salt level in ppm, and the intended salt level in ppm. At 3200 ppm, the desired salt can be the perfect amount. If the salt level is too low, it will indicate how much salt you need to add. On the other side, if the water is excessively salty, it will indicate the amount of water that has to be changed.
In addition to the formulas listed above, you can use the table below to add salt to your pool:

Is it necessary to add salt to my pool on a regular basis?
When it comes to adding salt to your pool, there is no specific schedule. Instead, add it or dilute the water only when the amount is too high or too low.
How Much Salt Do You Need to Add to Your Swimming Pool?
You’ve probably come here because your salt chlorine generator said your pool’s salt levels were too high or too low. Adding salt to your pool or replenishing the water in your pool is a rather straightforward procedure. I’ll show you how to do it:
- What are the proper salt levels for your pool?
- How to figure out how much water is in your pool
- How to figure out how much salt to put in your pool or how much water to replace it with
- Additional suggestions for maintaining a salt water pool
Ready? Let’s get this party started.
What Is the Optimal Salt Level for Your Pool?
Salt levels in your pool should be between 2,700 and 3,400 ppm (parts per million), with 3,200 ppm being best.
What does the term “parts per million” mean? You don’t need to know the ins and outs of ppm because it’s just a scientific unit of measurement. All you have to do now is test your pool water to determine the current salt ppm levels.
What Methods Do You Use to Check Your Salt Levels?
It’s quite straightforward. The amount of salt in your pool should be determined by your salt chlorine generator. If you don’t have that reading, a salt testing kit can be used to get an accurate measurement. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to see if you’re in the appropriate salt range I described before. If you’re above it, you’ll have to change the water in your pool with fresh water. If you’re under it, you’ll need to add additional salt.
Calculating the Volume of a Pool
To determine how much salt to add or how much water to replace, you must first determine how much water is currently in your pool. After that, we’ll dial in the proper salt levels using our pool volume calculator.
Calculator for Pool Volume
Determine how much water your pool can contain in gallons.
Are you ready to go? Let’s get started with the salt calculations.
Calculating the Amount of Salt to Use
To determine how much salt to add or how much water to replace in your pool, use the calculator below. Simply enter your pool volume (which you estimated above) and current salt levels (which you tested for) and press “compute.” I previously entered the ideal salt level of 3,200 ppm, but if you feel firmly that it should be lower or greater, you can make the necessary adjustments.
Calculate how much salt you’ll need to add or how much water you’ll need to replace in your saltwater pool (regular salt, no additives).

That’s all there is to it!
Maintenance of a Salt Water Pool
Here’s more of our research to help you maintain your salt water pool with confidence.
A guide on maintaining a saltwater pool. We go over the fundamentals of keeping your pool in tip-top shape.
Alternatives to pool salt Are you unsure which type of pool salt to purchase? This manual should be read.
A guide to salt chlorine generators. Everything you need to know about this important piece of pool equipment.
How to check your pool’s salt level. A brief overview of the many methods for determining salt levels.
How to know if you need to replace your salt cell. Learn how to tell when this vital piece of equipment needs to be replaced.
The fundamentals of a saltwater swimming pool. Are you thinking about constructing one? Begin here.
How to turn a pool into a saltwater pool. If you’re considering converting a chlorine pool to a saltwater pool, here’s how to go about it.
How to reduce the amount of salt in your pool. Here’s what happens if you add too much salt and what you should do next. Calculator for Salt Water Pools
A Calculator for Chemicals in Swimming Pools
It’s critical to keep the salt parts per million (PPM) as close to the system guidelines as feasible for proper chlorine production in a salt water pool. When a chlorine generator is operated outside of the acceptable salt PPM range, inadequate chlorine output or even damage to the chlorine generator might occur.
When it’s time to add salt, unzip the bag in the corner and go around the pool, evenly putting the salt in. It can take up to 24 hours for the salt to thoroughly dissolve and circulate throughout the pool after being added.
A Salt Water Pool Explained
A salt water pool provides a more convenient and healthy method of chlorinating pool water. The chlorine is made on site in a closed loop with the salt in the pool, eliminating the need to buy and transport chlorine. The chlorine dosing may be controlled in a more automated and granular manner with the salt water pool generator. Chlorine is regularly produced by the salt water pool generator. Making it easier to control the chlorine level on a regular basis rather than dumping big volumes of chlorine every few days, which would spike the chlorine levels. Salt water is considered to provide health benefits such as smoother skin and a better water feel. Salt water pool generators also minimize irritation to the eyes and skin.
EFFECTS OF LOW SALT:
Chlorine is produced by salt water pool generators. Because there are fewer salt particles entering the cell to be transformed to chlorine, low salt levels equate less chlorine. Low chlorine production owing to a lack of salt cannot be remedied by altering the salt system’s chlorine production.
When the chlorine generator is run in a low-salt environment, the cell plates are put under additional stress during the electrolysis process. They wear down faster than normal as a result of the added stress, resulting in early cell replacement. If the salt level falls too low, some systems may shut down.
EFFECTS OF HIGH SALT CONCENTRATION:
On the higher end of the system recommendations, most salt systems perform better. They produce more chlorine and put less strain on the cell, allowing it to last longer. When salt levels exceed 5000 PPM, most salt systems will have issues or stop working.
A Few Points To Consider When Buying A Salt Water Pool
Maintenance of a Salt Water Pool
It doesn’t have to be difficult to maintain a salt water pool. Salt should be checked at the same time as the other pool chemicals. The pool salt levels will not fluctuate frequently since salt is a dissolved substance that does not evaporate. Salt levels will be reduced by heavy rainfall, backwashing, and introducing new water.
WHEN SHOULD I ADD SALT TO MY POOL?
Salt is a dissolved substance that should be added to diluted pool water. When adding salt, open the bag and walk around the pool’s perimeter, distributing evenly. For the whole ppm increase, salt can take up to 24 hours to dissolve.
EXTEND THE LIFE OF SALT CELLS:
Keeping the salt pool ppm near the top of the recommended range allows the system to produce more chlorine while minimizing the amount of time it needs to run. Salt relieves stress on cell blades, allowing them to last longer.
ALTHOUGH SALT WATER IS A CHLORINE POOL, IT IS STILL A CHLORINE POOL:
Salt water pools are chlorine-free, contrary to popular belief. This isn’t the case at all. The salt system produces chlorine, as well as liquid chlorine and bleach, using the same technique.