How much salt for a 25,000 gallon pool?

A fresh 25,000 gallon pool needs 666 lb 11 oz of salt to reach 3,200 ppm, which is 17 bags of 40 lb pool salt. If you already have some salt in the water, use the table to find your starting point.

Rule of thumb: 1 lb of salt per 1,000 gallons raises salinity 120 ppm. For 25,000 gallons, every 40 lb bag adds about 192 ppm.

Salt doses for 25,000 gallons

Current saltSalt to add to reach 3,200 ppm40 lb bags
0 ppm666 lb 11 oz17
1,000 ppm458 lb 5 oz12
2,000 ppm250 lb7
2,500 ppm145 lb 13 oz4
3,000 ppm41 lb 11 oz2

Your exact reading

Units

Check your cell's target first

Most chlorinators want 2,700 to 3,400 ppm, but some want 4,000 or more. The manual or the display on the control box tells you. Overshooting is annoying because salt only leaves by dilution.

Which salt

99% pure sodium chloride sold as pool salt, or plain water softener salt with no rust inhibitor or iodine. Don't use rock salt with anti-caking agents.

Adding it

Cell off, pump on. Pour bags into the shallow end and brush the piles until they dissolve. Wait 24 hours, then retest and turn the cell back on.

Other pool sizes

Salt for a 5,000, 8,000, 10,000, 12,000, 15,000, 18,000, 20,000, 30,000 gallon pool. Not a round number? Use the salt calculator with your exact volume, or find it with the volume calculator.

Other chemicals for 25,000 gallons

How much shock for a 25,000 gallon pool, How much chlorine for a 25,000 gallon pool, How much baking soda for a 25,000 gallon pool.