Pool Salt Calculator: How Much Salt Do I Need?
It’s simple to keep your saltwater pool in great condition
The ideal salt level in a saltwater pool is 3,200 parts per million (ppm).
To restore salt levels to normal, it can cost as little as $7 and up to $80 or more.
Calculating the pool’s volume and current salt levels will allow you to determine how much salt you need to add.
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.
| Current Pool Salt Level (PPM) | Salt Needed For 10,000-Gallon Pool | Number of 40 lb Bags Needed | Cost for 8,000-Gallon Pool | Salt Needed For 12,000-Gallon Pool | Number of 40 lb Bags Needed | Cost for 12,000-Gallon Pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 267 lbs. | 7 | $49-$70 | 320 lbs. | 8 | $56-$80 |
| 1,000 | 184 lbs. | 5 | $35-$50 | 220 lbs. | 6 | $42-$60 |
| 2,000 | 100 lbs. | 3 | $21-$30 | 120 lbs. | 3 | $21-$30 |
| 3,000 | 17 lbs. | 1 | $7-$10 | 20 lbs. | 1 | $7-$10 |
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:
| Current salt level | Amount to Add Based on Volume | Amount to Add Based on Volume | Amount to Add Based on Volume | Amount to Add Based on Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000-Gallon pool | 12,000-Gallon pool | 16,000-Gallon pool | 20,000-Gallon pool | |
| 0 ppm | 213 pounds | 320 pounds | 427 pounds | 533 pounds |
| 1,000 ppm | 147 pounds | 220 pounds | 293 pounds | 367 pounds |
| 2,000 ppm | 80 pounds | 120 pounds | 160 pounds | 200 pounds |
| 3,000 ppm | 13 pounds | 20 pounds | 27 pounds | 33 pounds |
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.
Yes, it’s possible to put too much salt in your saltwater pool, and doing so can cause a number of problems, including corroding metal parts and causing the chlorinator to stop working correctly. In general, slightly elevated salt levels won’t cause serious problems beyond salty-tasting water, but you should dilute the water in a pool with extremely high salt levels to prevent damage to its components.
A good rule of thumb is to add one or two 40-pound bags of salt for every inch of rain, but you’ll want to test your salt levels first to ensure you’re adding the right amount. Rainwater can dilute the salt levels in your pool, so after significant rainfall, test the levels and add the appropriate amount of salt to bring it back to the ideal level.
Yes, you should keep your pool pump running when adding salt, and leave it running for 24 to 48 hours. This will help circulate the salt to ensure even distribution. You will want to turn off your pool’s salt chlorine generator before adding salt and leave it off until it fully dissolves. Check your manufacturer’s instructions for steps specific to your saltwater pool maintenance.
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