Pool Salt Calculator
Work out how much salt to add to a saltwater pool to reach your target salt level.
Salt to add
401 pounds
To raise 15,000 gallons from 0 ppm to 3,200 ppm, add about 400.6 lb of salt.
Calculation breakdown
| Step | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Salt level to add | 3,200 − 0 ppm | 3,200 |
| Salt to add | 15,000 gal × 3,200 ppm × 8.345 ÷ 1,000,000 | 400.6 lb |
How it works
Enter the pool volume, the salt level you measured today and the level you want. Add the size of a salt bag in the advanced options to see how many bags to buy.
Worked example
A 10,000 gallon pool raised from 0 to 3,200 ppm:
- Increase: 3,200 − 0 = 3,200 ppm
- Salt: 10,000 × 3,200 × 8.345 ÷ 1,000,000 = 267 lb
- With 40 lb bags: 267 ÷ 40 = 6.7, which rounds up to 7 bags
Rounding
Salt is shown to the nearest pound or kilogram. Bags are rounded up.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How much salt do I add to a pool?
Multiply the pool volume in gallons by the increase in ppm you need and by 8.345, then divide by 1,000,000 to get pounds. To raise a 10,000 gallon pool from 0 to 3,200 ppm you need about 267 pounds of salt.
What salt level should I aim for?
It depends on your salt chlorine generator, so use the level in its manual. Hayward, for example, publishes a salt chart for 3,200 ppm. The calculator starts at 3,200 ppm but lets you enter any target.
Why is the formula based on ppm?
One part per million in water is one milligram per liter. Raising the salt level by 1 ppm in a liter of water takes 1 milligram, so the salt needed is the ppm increase times the liters, divided by a million. A US gallon is 3.785 liters.
How do I know my current salt level?
Test the water with a salt test strip or digital meter, or ask a pool store to test a sample. Enter the result as the current level so the calculator only adds the shortfall.
Can I add all the salt at once?
Follow your salt cell maker's instructions for adding salt and running the pump, and retest the water afterwards. Water loss and rain change the salt level over time. Add salt in steps if you are unsure of the pool volume.
Estimates only. Follow your salt chlorine generator's manual for its recommended salt level and how to add salt.