Pool Salt Calculator

Pounds of salt = (target − current ppm) × gallons × 8.34 ÷ 1,000,000. For example, a 10,000-gallon pool starting at 0 needs about 267 lb (six to seven 40-lb bags) to reach 3,200 ppm. Enter your volume and levels above and the calculator works it out exactly.

Most salt-chlorine generators want 2,700–3,400 ppm, with about 3,200 ppm ideal. Brands vary slightly — Hayward AquaRite ~3,200, Pentair IntelliChlor ~3,400, Jandy AquaPure ~4,000 — so check your unit’s manual. Below ~2,700 ppm the generator slows or stops; too high can taste salty and trip a high-salt shutdown.

There’s no chemical that removes salt — you lower it by dilution. Drain a fraction equal to 1 − (target ÷ current) and refill with fresh water. Use the “Lower salt” mode for the exact gallons. Note this also lowers CYA, alkalinity, and calcium, so re-test afterward.

Use pool-grade salt — sodium chloride that’s at least 99% pure, non-iodized, with no anti-caking or yellow-prussiate additives. It’s the same idea as water-softener salt but cleaner; avoid rock salt or table salt.

Broadcast it across the deep end (never down the skimmer), brush it around to help it dissolve, and run the pump for about 24 hours before testing. Adding it in stages and re-testing keeps you from overshooting — since the only way down is draining.

Salt-chlorine generators need enough salt to run; below roughly 2,700 ppm most reduce output or shut off and flash a low-salt warning. Cold water also lowers readings. Add salt to your target and the cell should resume — but confirm with an independent salt test, as cell readings drift as they age.