Pool Salt Calculator: How Much Salt Do I Need?

Saltwater pools offer several benefits, including a fresher feel and lower maintenance than traditional chlorine pools. But that doesn’t mean there’s no maintenance. Knowing how much salt to add to the pool when salt levels get low is essential for a relaxing saltwater pool experience.

How Much Salt Is Needed for My Pool?

The salt level in a saltwater pool should fall between 2,700 and 3,400 ppm, but you want to keep it as close to 3,200 ppm as possible for ideal conditions. Using the current salt level and the number of gallons of water in your pool, you can determine how much salt you need to add to this type of pool. If there’s too much salt in the pool, you’ll have to drain some of the water and replace it to dilute the salt concentration.

A 40-pound bag of pool salt costs between $7 and $10, so adding enough salt to your pool can start around $7 and cost up to $80 or more. Adding the proper amount can help protect the pool and make the cost of a saltwater pool worth it. 

How to Calculate How Much Salt You Need for Your Pool

Using your pool size and current salt measurements, apply the following formula to determine how much salt your pool needs: 

Salt to Add (in pounds) = Gallons x 8.35 x (0.0032 – (current salt ppm / 1,000,000))

How to Measure Pool Salt

Measuring the current salt level in your pool will allow you to calculate how much salt you need to add to bring it to the ideal level—around 3,200 ppm. This is also important information if you plan on converting your pool into a saltwater pool.

How to Calculate Current Salt Level

Saltwater test strips are the best way to test saltwater levels; luckily, they’re one of the most affordable aspects of swimming pool maintenance. Test strips cost between $10 and $15 for a pack of 10 or 20; if you’ve been keeping up with maintenance, you may already have a few lying around. 

You can also use the pool’s chlorine generator to get a reading, but test strips tend to be more accurate. Following the manufacturer’s instructions for the test strips will give you the most precise reading, and then you can calculate how much salt you need to add. But first, you need to calculate your pool volume.

How to Calculate Pool Volume

Pool volume calculations will give you the number of gallons in your pool. This measurement is then used to calculate the current salt levels and how much salt you need to add to avoid cloudy pool water and other issues.

Rectangular pool:

Average Depth x Length x Width x 7.5

Circular pool:

Average Depth x Diameter x Diameter x 5.9

Oval Pool:

Average Depth x Length x Width x 6.7 

After determining the salt level, you must decide how much pool salt you must add.

How to Calculate Pool Salt Needed

To determine the amount of pool salt you need to add, use the following chart:

You can also use a pool salt calculator to plug in the pool volume, current salt, and ideal salt levels.

Who to Hire to Add Salt to the Pool

Figuring out how much salt the pool needs and then adding it is a relatively simple DIY job, but if you don’t have the time or would rather just jump in without worrying about the maintenance, you can hire a local pool pro. They can also conduct other maintenance like testing alkalinity and stabilizer levels and raising the pool’s pH level or lowering the pool’s pH level as necessary. Hiring a pro for pool maintenance can give you peace of mind knowing that everything is working properly and the pool water is at its ideal levels.