Pool Salt Calculator
Enter your pool volume and current and target salt levels to get exactly how much salt to add, in pounds and in 40 lb bags. Built for saltwater pools and salt chlorine generators.
- Salt to add
- 401 lb
- In kilograms
- 182 kg
- 40 lb bags
- 11
- Raising by
- 3,200 ppm
Most salt chlorine generators want 2,700 to 3,400 ppm, and 3,200 is a common target. Check your generator's manual for its ideal range. Add salt gradually, run the pump to circulate, and retest after the salt fully dissolves (about 24 hours) before adding more.
Start from an accurate volume
The dose is only as good as the volume you feed it. If you are not sure how many gallons your pool holds, work it out first with the pool volume calculator, then come back here. Add salt in stages rather than all at once, run the pump, and retest after about a day before topping up, since it is far easier to add more than to drain and dilute an overshoot.
More pool math is in the full calculator list.
Frequently asked questions
How much salt do I add to my pool?
It depends on your volume and how far the salt level needs to rise. To raise salinity, pounds of salt equals the ppm increase times gallons times 0.000008345. This calculator does the math and rounds up to whole 40 pound bags.
What salt level should a saltwater pool be?
Most salt chlorine generators run best between 2,700 and 3,400 ppm, with 3,200 ppm a common target. Always check your generator's manual, because the ideal range varies by model and running outside it can damage the cell or underproduce chlorine.
What kind of salt do I use?
Use pure sodium chloride pool salt, ideally 99 percent or higher and labeled for pools. Avoid salt with anti-caking agents, iodine, or yellow prussiate of soda, which can stain or cloud the water. Water softener salt pellets work if they are pure NaCl, but plain pool salt dissolves faster.
How long after adding salt can I swim?
You can usually swim right away, since pool salt is non-toxic at these levels. Run the pump to circulate and dissolve the salt, brush any that settles, and wait about 24 hours before retesting so you get an accurate reading before adding more.
My salt is too high. How do I lower it?
You cannot remove salt with chemicals. The only way to lower salinity is to drain part of the pool and refill with fresh water, then retest. Rain and splash-out also dilute it slowly over time.