How Pool Salt Calculation Works
Saltwater pools use a salt chlorine generator that converts dissolved salt into chlorine through electrolysis. The ideal salt range is 2,700–3,400 ppm for most systems, with 3,200 ppm being the sweet spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use NaCl (sodium chloride) that is at least 99.8% pure. Pool salt, solar salt, and water softener salt are all acceptable. Avoid rock salt which contains impurities, and avoid salt with anti-caking agents like yellow prussiate of soda.
Salt does not evaporate, but it leaves the pool through splash-out, backwashing, and dilution from rain or added water. Most pools need a salt top-up once or twice per season.
Yes. At 3,200 ppm, pool salt levels are about 1/10th the salinity of ocean water (35,000 ppm). Saltwater pools are gentler on eyes and skin than traditionally chlorinated pools.
Salt levels above 4,000 ppm can cause corrosion on metal fixtures and damage the chlorinator cell. The only fix is to partially drain the pool and refill with fresh water.
Yes. A new pool has 0 ppm salt. Use this calculator with Current Level = 0 and your target to determine how many bags to add at startup.
Test salt levels at the start of each season, after heavy rains, after backwashing, and monthly during the swimming season.