# Pool Chemical Calculator Free pool chemical calculator for chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and cyanuric acid. Enter pool volume and current readings to get exact dosing in ounces and pounds. ## What this calculates Balance your pool water without guesswork. This pool chemical calculator tells you exactly how much chlorine, pH adjuster, alkalinity increaser, and cyanuric acid to add based on your current readings and target levels. Dosing is given for liquid chlorine (10% sodium hypochlorite) and granular cal-hypo (65%), plus the proper order to add chemicals so they do not cancel each other out. ## Inputs - **Pool Volume** (gallons) — min 500, max 200000 — Use the pool size calculator if you don't know your volume - **Current Free Chlorine** (ppm) — min 0, max 10 — Test with strips or drop kit. Target is 1-3 ppm. - **Target Free Chlorine** (ppm) — min 1, max 5 — Ideal range is 1-3 ppm; use 3 for shock maintenance - **Current pH** — min 6, max 9 — Ideal range is 7.4-7.6 - **Target pH** — min 7, max 8 - **Current Total Alkalinity** (ppm) — min 0, max 300 — Ideal range is 80-120 ppm - **Target Total Alkalinity** (ppm) — min 80, max 150 - **Current Cyanuric Acid (CYA)** (ppm) — min 0, max 150 — Also called conditioner or stabilizer. Ideal 30-50 ppm. - **Target Cyanuric Acid (CYA)** (ppm) — min 30, max 80 ## Outputs - **Liquid Chlorine (10% strength)** — Sodium hypochlorite / liquid bleach at 10% available chlorine - **Granular Chlorine (Cal-Hypo 65%)** — Calcium hypochlorite granules at 65% available chlorine - **pH Adjuster** — formatted as text — pH Up (soda ash) or pH Down (dry acid) as needed - **Alkalinity Increaser (Baking Soda)** — Sodium bicarbonate to raise total alkalinity - **Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer)** — Pool conditioner / stabilizer granules - **Recommended Dose Sequence** — formatted as text — Order to add chemicals for safety and accuracy ## Details Pool chemistry target ranges: - Free Chlorine: 1-3 ppm (or 3 ppm if shocking) - pH: 7.4-7.6 - Total Alkalinity: 80-120 ppm - Cyanuric Acid (CYA): 30-50 ppm for outdoor pools, 0-20 ppm for indoor - Calcium Hardness: 200-400 ppm Dosing Formulas - Liquid chlorine (10%): 10.5 oz per 10,000 gallons raises free chlorine by 1 ppm - Granular cal-hypo (65%): about 1.55 oz per 10,000 gallons per 1 ppm - pH Up (soda ash): 6 oz per 10,000 gallons raises pH by 0.2 - pH Down (dry acid): 12 oz per 10,000 gallons lowers pH by 0.2 - Alkalinity increaser (baking soda): 1.5 lb per 10,000 gallons raises TA by 10 ppm - Cyanuric acid: 13 oz per 10,000 gallons raises CYA by 10 ppm How to Use the Pool Chemical Calculator Test your pool water with strips or a drop-based kit first. Enter the results alongside your pool volume in gallons. The pool calculator chemical output gives the precise amount of each chemical to add, plus the correct dose sequence. Never mix chemicals together in the same bucket, and always add chemicals to water, not water to chemicals. Pool Chemical Calculator App vs Website Many pool owners switch between a pool chemical calculator app on their phone at the pool and a free pool chemical calculator on a laptop for planning. Both work from the same math: parts per million, pool volume, and a known dose factor per chemical. This tool runs in the browser so no install is needed. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: How much liquid chlorine do I need for a 15,000 gallon pool?** A: To raise free chlorine by 1 ppm in a 15,000 gallon pool, add about 16 oz (2 cups) of 10% liquid chlorine. To go from 0.5 ppm up to 3 ppm, that is 2.5 ppm x 15.75 oz per 10,000 gal = about 39 oz, or just over 1 quart of liquid chlorine. **Q: Can I use this pool chemical calculator for an Intex or inflatable pool?** A: Yes. An intex pool chemical calculator uses the same formulas because chlorine and pH dosing scale with pool volume, not pool brand. Enter your actual volume in gallons (a 10-ft round x 30-inch deep Intex pool holds about 1,185 gallons) and the calculator returns the right dose. Smaller pools need tiny amounts, so a kitchen scale or measuring cup helps. **Q: What order should I add pool chemicals?** A: Always adjust in this sequence: (1) total alkalinity first, (2) pH second, (3) cyanuric acid third, (4) chlorine last. Wait 4-6 hours between each so the previous dose can circulate. Never combine chemicals in the same bucket. Liquid chlorine and muriatic acid, for example, produce toxic chlorine gas when mixed. **Q: Why is my free chlorine low even after shocking?** A: High cyanuric acid (CYA) binds up chlorine so it cannot sanitize. If your CYA is above 80 ppm, you need a higher free chlorine level (about 7.5% of CYA) just to maintain sanitization. The fix is partial drain and refill to lower CYA below 50 ppm, then redose. **Q: How often should I test pool chemicals?** A: Test chlorine and pH 2-3 times per week during swim season, more often in hot weather or after heavy rain. Test total alkalinity, cyanuric acid, and calcium hardness monthly. Strip testers are fast for daily checks; a drop-based kit is more accurate for balancing. **Q: Is there a free pool chemical calculator I can use on my phone?** A: Yes. This page is a free pool chemical calculator that runs in any mobile browser with no install or login. Save it to your home screen for one-tap access pool-side. It handles chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, and cyanuric acid for any pool volume from tiny kiddie pools up to 200,000 gallon commercial pools. --- Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/everyday/pool-chemical Category: Everyday Life Last updated: 2026-04-08