How many gallons is a 16 ft round × 48 in above-ground pool?

A 16 ft round above-ground pool with 48 in walls holds about 5,260 US gallons (19,930 L) when filled to 42 in of water, about 6 in below the top rail. Volume depends on the water depth, not the wall height, so measure your water and check the table.

Volume by water depth

Water depthUS gallonsLitres
40 in of water5,010 gal18,980 L
42 in of water5,260 gal19,930 L
44 in of water5,510 gal20,880 L

Formula: 16 × 16 × 3.5 ft × 5.87 = 5,264 gal.

Measure your own water depth

ft
ft

Measure the water, not the wall.

ft

Same as shallow for a flat bottom.

5,264gal

About 19,927 L

Average depth 3.5 ft

Formula: diameter² × average depth × 5.87.

  • Pool shapes are never perfect. Treat this as within about 10%, and check it once by adding a known amount of salt or stabilizer and testing the change.
  • Use this volume: Chlorine pH Shock All-in-one

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

Pool Calc for iPhoneComing soon to the App Store

Doses for this pool

JobAmount
Raise chlorine 1 ppm6.7 fl oz of 10% liquid chlorine
Stabilizer 0 → 30 ppm1.3 lb
Salt 0 → 3,200 ppm141 lb (3.5 bags)

Full dose tables for a pool this size: liquid chlorine for 5,000 gallons, salt and stabilizer. Or put 5,264 gallons straight into the pool chemical calculator.

Check the number once

Manufacturer capacities are usually given at a stated fill level, and liners stretch. To confirm your real volume, add a known amount of salt or stabilizer and see how much the test reading moves: the volume that explains that change is your pool.

Questions

How many gallons does a 16 ft round × 48 in pool hold?

About 5,260 gallons at 42 in of water.

How many litres is a 16 ft round × 48 in pool?

About 19,930 L at 42 in (107 cm) of water.