How Many Gallons Of Water Are In My Pool ?
In order to figure out the proper doses of chemicals for your pool, you need to determine how many gallons of water it holds. To do that, you need to use a ruler to measure your pool to find out these four different numbers; Length, Width, Average depth and a multiplier that determines gallons.
So here are the formulas to figure out how much water is in your swimming pool:
These formulas hold true for both Inground pools as well as above ground pools.
Rectangular, Square or Free Form Pools:
Length x Width x Average Depth x 7.5 = Total gallons
For example: 16′ x 32′ x 4.5′ x 7.5 = 17,280 Gallons
Circular Pools:
Diameter x Diameter x Average Depth x 5.9 = Total gallons
For example: 18′ x 18′ x 4′ x 5.9 = 7,646 Gallons
Oval Pools:
Length x Width x Average Depth x 5.9 = Total gallons
For example: 15′ x 30′ x 4′ x 5.9 = 10,620 Gallons
How to determine the Average Depth of a Swimming Pool where the bottom slopes:
Below is a side-shot of the “typical” inground pool that has a shallow end (see “D”), then a slope that leads into the deep end (see “C”).
First measure the depth of “D”, the shallow end (usually anywhere from 3′ to 5′), and then measure the depth of “C”, the deep end (usually anywhere between 6′ and 12′) . Then, add them together and divide by 2. This is the average depth of your pool.
For example, if your shallow end “D” is 3′, and your deep end “C” is 8′, this would be your formula for the Average Depth:
3′ + 8′ = 11′
11′ divided by 2 = 5.5.
Therefore, in this example, your average depth would be 5 1/2 feet.
Most Common Sizes Of Inground Rectangular Pools
Below, we have created some handy charts of the most popular sizes of pools
and how many gallons of water are in them.
POOL SIZE | 4′ AVG. DEPTH | 4.5′ AVG. DEPTH | 5′ AVG. DEPTH | 5.5′ AVG. DEPTH | 6′ AVG. DEPTH |
12′ X 24′ | 8,640 | 9,720 | 10,800 | 11,880 | 12,960 |
14′ X 28′ | 11,760 | 13,230 | 14,700 | 16,170 | 17,640 |
15′ X 30′ | 13,500 | 15,200 | 19,900 | 18,600 | 20,250 |
16′ X 32′ | 15,400 | 17,300 | 19,200 | 21,100 | 23,040 |
18′ X 36′ | 19,400 | 21,900 | 24,300 | 26,700 | 29,160 |
20′ X 40′ | 24,000 | 27,000 | 30,000 | 33,000 | 36,000 |
25′ X 45′ | 33,750 | 37,968 | 42,187 | 46,406 | 50,625 |
25′ X 50′ | 37,500 | 42,200 | 46,900 | 51,600 | 56,250 |
30′ X 50′ | 45,000 | 50,525 | 56,250 | 61,875 | 67,500 |
Most Common Sizes Of Above Ground Pools
Above Ground Pools with a Depth of 48″ (4′)
SIZE |
GALLONS OF WATER |
12′ Round | 3,398 |
15′ Round | 5,310 |
18′ Round | 7,646 |
21′ Round | 10,407 |
24′ Round | 13,593 |
27′ Round | 17,204 |
28′ Round | 18,502 |
30′ Round | 21,240 |
33′ Round | 25,700 |
15′ x 30′ Oval | 10,620 |
Above Ground Pools with a Depth of 52″ (4.5′)
SIZE |
GALLONS OF WATER |
12′ Round | 3,823 |
15′ Round | 5,973 |
18′ Round | 8,602 |
21′ Round | 11,708 |
24′ Round | 15,292 |
27′ Round | 19,354 |
28′ Round | 20,815 |
30′ Round | 23,895 |
33′ Round | 28,912 |
15′ x 30′ Oval | 11,947 |
More Detailed Information For You:
If you are not using a cell phone, and are using a desktop computer, laptop or tablet, we do have a very detailed page with more information PLUS an online Pool Water Calculator on our Classic Pool And Spa desktop site.
Click here to see our E-Z Pool Water Calculator page.