How much salt to add to your pool

A 15,000 gallon pool needs 403 lb (183 kg) of pool salt to go from fresh water to 3,200 ppm. Each 1,000 ppm takes about 84 lb per 10,000 gallons.

Pool salt calculator

Add

88lb

of Pool salt (sodium chloride 99%)

1,410 oz40 kg

Raises salt from 2,500 ppm to 3,200 ppm in 15,000 gal. That is about 2.2 bags of 40 lb.

Brush the salt around until it dissolves, and keep the salt cell off for 24 hours.
If you are unsure of your volume, add about 80% first, circulate for 24 hours and retest.

Check the product label. Strengths vary by brand, so enter the % printed on yours. Add one chemical at a time, into the water, and never mix chemicals.

Save this test and get reminded when it is time to retest.

Pool Calc for iPhoneComing soon to the App Store

Adding salt

Check your salt cell’s manual for its target, usually 2,700 to 3,400 ppm.
Use plain pool salt (99%+ sodium chloride, no anti-caking agents).
Pour it in the shallow end and brush it around until it dissolves.
Keep the cell off for 24 hours, then retest with a salt test, not only the cell’s display.

Too much salt

High salt only comes down by replacing water. If you are unsure of your volume, add about 80% of the dose and retest a day later.

Questions

How many bags of salt for a 20,000 gallon pool?

From fresh water to 3,200 ppm, about 13.4 bags of 40 lb.

Why does my salt cell read differently from my test?

Cells estimate salt from conductivity and temperature, and drift over time. Trust a titration test or strips made for salt.