Pool Salt Calculator (Pounds of Salt for a Saltwater Pool)
Pounds and bags of pool salt to raise a saltwater pool from its current salt level to the target your chlorine generator needs.
Formula
Salt (lb) = gallons × 8.34 lb/gal × (target ppm − current ppm) ÷ 1,000,000. Bags = ⌈lb ÷ bag size⌉.
Worked example
Inputs: Pool volume = 15000 gal; Current salt level (test strip or meter) = 0 ppm; Target salt level (from your cell manual) = 3200 ppm; Bag size = 40 lb.
| Salt lb | 400.3 |
|---|---|
| Salt kg | 181.6 |
| Bags | 11 |
FAQ
What salt level should I target?
Use the range in your salt chlorine generator manual; many cells call for roughly 3,000 to 3,500 ppm, but models differ.
How much salt does a 15,000 gallon pool need from zero?
15,000 × 8.34 × 3,200 ÷ 1,000,000 ≈ 400 lb at a 3,200 ppm target.
Can I add it all at once?
Follow your generator's instructions; adding in stages and retesting after it dissolves avoids overshooting, which can only be fixed by draining.
Sources
- USGS Circular 1268, conversion factors: 1 gallon of water = 8.34 pounds
- NIST: 1 US gallon = 231 cubic inches (7.48052 gal per cubic foot)
Related
- Pool Volume Calculator: Rectangular (Gallons)
- Pool Liquid Chlorine Calculator (Ounces to Raise Free Chlorine)
More Pool calculators
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Last reviewed 2026-10-13.