If you own a swimming pool, it’s important to know the way to calculate how many gallons in a pool. This will allow you to determine the amount of chemicals needed for proper maintenance, as well as the amount of water required to fill or drain the pool.
Fortunately, calculating pool volume is a straightforward process that can be done with a few simple measurements – plus it only needs to be done once!
Understanding the Basics
If you own a swimming pool, it’s important to know how to calculate its volume. Understanding the basics of pool volume calculation will help you keep your pool clean and safe for swimming.
In this section, we will cover the main steps involved to calculate pool volume for your particular pool.
Measuring the Pool’s Dimensions
The first step in calculating your pool’s volume is to measure the pool’s dimensions. You will need to measure the length, width, and depth of your pool.
If your pool has a rectangular shape, measuring the length and width is easy. For other shapes, such as circular or kidney-shaped, you may need to take more measurements to get an accurate estimate.
When measuring the depth of your pool, it’s important to measure both the shallow end and the deep end. This is because most pools are not the same depth throughout.
To get an accurate estimate of the pool’s average depth, you will need to take measurements at different points and then calculate the average.
How to Calculate Pool Volume
Once you have measured your pool’s dimensions, you can use a formula to calculate its volume. The formula you use will depend on the shape of your pool.
- For rectangular pools, the formula is length x width x depth x 7.5.
- For circular pools, the formula is 3.14 x radius x radius x depth x 7.5.
- For kidney-shaped or irregularly shaped pools, a rough estimate can be used.
It’s important to remember that the volume of your pool is measured in gallons.
Calculating the Volume of Different Pool Shapes
Calculating the volume of a swimming pool is important to determine the amount of chemicals needed for treatment, as well as for filling and draining the pool.
Here are the steps to calculate the volume of different pool shapes:
Rectangular Pools
Rectangular pools are the easiest to calculate because they have a simple shape. Here’s how to do it:
- Measure the length, width, and depth of the pool in feet.
- Multiply the length by the width to get the surface area of the pool.
- Multiply the surface area by the depth to get the volume in cubic feet.
- To convert cubic feet to gallons, multiply the volume by 7.5.
Round Pools
Circular/round pools have a different formula for calculating the volume. Here’s how to do it:
- Measure the diameter of the pool in feet.
- Divide the diameter by 2 to get the radius.
- Multiply the radius by itself (squared) by pi (3.14) to get the surface area of the pool.
- Multiply the surface area by the depth to get the volume in cubic feet.
- To convert cubic feet to gallons, multiply the volume by 7.5.
Or use the handy round pool volume calculator: below.
Rectangular and Circular Pool Volume Calculator
You are in luck if you have a rectangular or round pool. We have created the pool volume calculator below to calculate the volume for you.
Note: If you have a pool with a deep and shallow end you will have to make a judgment as to the average depth. For example, if your pool has a slope midway taking the depth from 3 feet to 6 feet then the average would be 4.5 feet.
Pool Volume Calculator
Please enter your pool shape and dimensions:
There are too many variables to produce a calculator for oval or irregularly shaped pools.
Oval Pools
Oval pools are similar to circular pools but require a different formula. Here’s how to do it:
- Measure the longest diameter and the shortest diameter of the pool in feet.
- Add the two measurements together and divide by 2 to get the average diameter.
- Divide the average diameter by 2 to get the radius.
- Multiply the radius by itself (squared) by pi (3.14) to get the surface area of the pool.
- Multiply the surface area by the depth to get the volume in cubic feet.
- To convert cubic feet to gallons, multiply the volume by 7.5.
Irregular Shaped Pools
Irregular-shaped pools require a bit more work to calculate the volume. Here’s how to do it:
- Divide the pool into smaller sections of regular shapes (e.g. rectangles, triangles, circles).
- Measure the length, width, and depth of each section in feet.
- Calculate the volume of each section using the appropriate formula (e.g. rectangular pool formula for rectangular sections).
- Add the volumes of each section together to get the total volume of the pool in cubic feet.
- To convert cubic feet to gallons, multiply the volume by 7.5.
Factors Affecting Pool Volume
Calculating the volume of a swimming pool is an essential task to ensure proper maintenance and chemical balance. However, the pool volume can be affected by various factors that need to be considered before making the calculations.
Here are some of the factors that can affect the pool volume:
Pool Depth
The depth of a swimming pool is one of the primary factors that can affect its volume. The deeper the pool, the more water it can hold. Therefore, it is essential to measure the depth accurately to get an accurate calculation of the pool volume.
Keep in mind that some pools have varying depths, such as a deep end and a shallow end. In such cases, it is necessary to measure the depth at different points and calculate the average depth.
Pool Slope
The slope of the pool floor can also affect the pool volume. If the pool has a sloping floor, it will have a smaller volume than a pool with a flat bottom. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the slope of the pool floor and adjust the calculations accordingly.
Pool Steps and Ledges
If your pool has steps or ledges, they can also affect the pool volume. These areas hold less water than the rest of the pool, so it is necessary to measure their dimensions and subtract their volume from the total pool volume.
Pool Maintenance Course
When I first bought my house with a swimming pool, I knew nothing about cleaning and maintaining it.
I was recommended Swim University’s Pool Care Handbook and video course so I bought it and have never regretted it.
It was without a doubt the best money I spent that year as I saved thousands by doing it myself.
Conclusion
Knowing “how many gallons is my pool” is an essential part of maintaining it. By knowing the volume of your pool, you can accurately determine the amount of chemicals needed to keep your pool clean and safe for swimming.
Whether you have a rectangular, circular, or irregularly shaped pool, there are various formulas and methods you can use to calculate its volume. You can use a pool volume calculator or follow the simple formulas we have provided in this article.
It’s important to note that accurate measurements are crucial in calculating the volume of your pool. Make sure to measure the length, width, and depth of your pool carefully to get the most accurate results.
Once you have calculated the volume of your pool, you can use it to determine the amount of chemicals needed to keep your pool clean and healthy. You can also use it to determine the amount of water your pool holds, which can be helpful in planning for water changes or refills.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily calculate the volume of your swimming pool and keep it clean and safe for all to enjoy. Remember to always practice proper pool maintenance and safety measures to ensure a fun and enjoyable swimming experience.
I have had hot tubs for over 20 years and a pool for the last 10 years. I had to learn how to clean, maintain and fix them the hard way. Since then I have helped many friends and neighbors with their pools and now I want to share everything I have learned with you. About Me