Saltwater Pool Salt Calculator
Find how much salt to add to bring a saltwater pool up to its target salinity. Enter the gallons, the current reading and the target ppm to get the salt needed in pounds and kilograms.
How to calculate pool salt
- Enter your pool volume in gallons.
- Enter the current salinity in ppm from your test strip or meter.
- Set the target salinity, often around 3,200 ppm.
- Read the salt to add in grams, pounds and kilograms.
Examples
15,000 gallon pool, 1,000 to 3,200 ppm
15,000 gallons, current 1,000 ppm, target 3,200 ppm
Add about 275 lb (124.9 kg) of salt
Frequently asked questions
How much salt raises my pool by a set ppm?
Since 1 ppm equals 1 mg per liter, the salt needed is the ppm rise times the liters of water, divided by 1000. The tool converts your gallons to liters first.
What salinity should a saltwater pool be?
Most salt chlorine generators want roughly 2,700 to 3,400 ppm, with 3,200 ppm a common target. Always follow your generator's recommended range.
What if my current salinity is already above target?
Then no salt is needed and the tool shows zero. You cannot lower salinity by adding salt; you would dilute with fresh water instead.
What kind of salt should I use?
Use pure, non-iodized pool salt (sodium chloride) without anti-caking agents. The dose here assumes essentially pure salt.
How long before I retest after adding salt?
Run the pump to circulate and let the salt dissolve fully, usually 24 hours, then retest before relying on the new reading.
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