Pool Salt Calculator
Enter your pool volume, current salt reading, and target level. Get the exact pounds of salt and bag count in real time. Formula and sources shown.
Pool Salt Calculator
Don't know your volume? Use the pool volume calculator.
Test with salt strips or a digital meter before adding salt.
Typical range: 2,700–3,400 ppm. Check your chlorinator manual.
Dosing Breakdown by Pool Size
Lbs of pool-grade salt (NaCl) needed to reach 3,200 ppm from 0 ppm, by pool size.
| Pool Size | Lbs to Add | 40-lb Bags | 50-lb Bags |
|---|
Formula & How It Works
The salt dosing formula converts pool volume and ppm difference into pounds of salt using the weight of water:
- 8.345 — weight of one US gallon of water in pounds at standard conditions (industry-standard constant)
- 1,000,000 — converts ppm (parts per million) to the correct decimal scale
- Target − Current ppm — only the deficit needs to be added; existing salt stays in the water
Source: Hayward AquaRite documentation, hayward.com — verified June 2026. Recommended salt range (Hayward AquaRite): 2,700–3,400 ppm, optimal 3,200 ppm. Always verify against your specific chlorinator's manual.
Other pool chemistry calculators: Pool Volume · Shock · Chlorine · Alkalinity · Stabilizer (CYA) · Water Balance Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Enter your pool volume in gallons, your current salt reading (use a test strip or digital meter), and your target salt level. The calculator shows exactly how many pounds of pool-grade salt to add and how many bags to buy.
Most salt chlorinators — including Hayward AquaRite, Pentair IntelliChlor, and Jandy TruClear — recommend 2,700–3,400 ppm, with 3,200 ppm as the common optimum. Always check your specific chlorinator's owner's manual, as some systems (like Pentair) can operate up to 4,500 ppm.
8.345 is the weight of one US gallon of water in pounds at standard conditions. Multiplying volume (gallons) by ppm difference and then by 8.345, then dividing by 1,000,000, correctly converts the parts-per-million deficit into pounds of salt needed.
Use pool-grade NaCl (sodium chloride) that is at least 99.8% pure — commonly sold as "pool salt" or "solar salt." Avoid salt with anti-caking agents, iodized table salt, or rock salt that contains impurities. These can cloud the water or damage the salt cell.
Run the pump for at least 24 hours to fully dissolve and circulate the salt before testing and swimming. High salt concentrations in one area can irritate eyes and skin. Retest before entering the pool.
No. Salt does not evaporate or break down. You only lose salt through water loss — splash-out, backwashing, and rain overflow. Normal top-ups are small; a major salt addition is usually only needed when filling or refilling the pool.