Free pool tool
Saltwater Pool Salt Calculator
Find out exactly how much salt to add to hit your chlorinator's target. Enter your current level, target, and pool volume.
Your readings
Salt to add
About 6 standard 40-lb bags. Add in stages, run the pump, and re-test after it dissolves before adding more.
Salt to add = (target − current) ppm × gallons × 8.34 ÷ 1,000,000.
How much salt does a saltwater pool need?
Most salt chlorine generators run best between roughly 3,000 and 3,400 ppm — but always confirm the target for your specific chlorinator. To raise salinity, the salt needed is the gap between your current and target level, scaled by how much water you have:
pounds of salt = (target − current) ppm × gallons × 8.34 ÷ 1,000,000
Add salt in stages with the pump running, and re-test after it fully dissolves before adding more — it's easy to overshoot, and the only way back down is to dilute with fresh water.
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