Shock Pool Calculator
Pool Shock Calculator works out Volume and Water surface area from Pool shape, Length and Width. The default figures on this page give product to add (liquids) of 1.595 L; change any entry and the result, the working and the sources update together.
Your figures
Updates as you typeHow this is worked out
4 steps
- Average depth = (3 + 8) / 2 = 5.5 ft
- Volume = 32 x 16 x 5.5 = 2816 cu ft
- US gallons = 2816 cu ft x 1728/231 = 21065.142857142855 gal (231 cu in per gallon, exact)
- Available chlorine needed = 199.35059995944326 g as Cl2; at 12.5% w/v that is 1.5948047996755461 L of product
Figures from pool chemical dosing constants, 2021 edition, checked 31 August 2026. Its 5 worked examples are re-run on every release, last on 15 September 2026. What changed · how reference data is kept current
Sources and references
3 sources
Keep this result
Save it, change one figure, then compare the two
The calculation stays free. Save this scenario, adjust one assumption, save that too, and put them side by side to see exactly what the change costs you. A free account keeps 5 scenarios and 2 comparisons; Personal makes both unlimited and adds exports and private links. Nothing is saved unless you press Save.
What the Pool Shock Calculator calculates
Works out swimming-pool volume in cubic feet, US gallons and litres for rectangular, round and oval pools, then doses salt, chlorine, alkalinity increaser, calcium hardness increaser or stabiliser to move the water from its measured level to a target.
How to use this Pool Shock Calculator
Enter Pool shape, Length, Width and Diameter. Volume updates as you type. Change one figure at a time to see what drives the result.
How the result is worked out
Open “How this is worked out” beside the result for the step-by-step calculation behind Volume, Water surface area and Average depth used.
The method follows NIST Special Publication 811 / NIST Handbook 44 (US gallon = 231 cubic inches exactly, so 1 cu ft = 1728/231 US gal), CDC Model Aquatic Health Code, 4th edition (2023): operating envelope for pH, free available chlorine and cyanuric acid, and the requirement to apply chemicals per the registered label and ANSI/APSP/ICC-11, American National Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Spas (industry ideal ranges quoted in warnings).
What you can compare
Change one input at a time to see how it affects Volume, Water surface area and Average depth used. The inputs you can vary are Pool shape, Length, Width, Diameter, Average depth and Shallow end depth.
Understanding Volume, Water surface area and Average depth used
Pool chemistry is a safety matter. Doses are computed from your measured water test and the product label strength you selected; always follow the EPA-registered label on the product you actually hold, never mix chemicals, add chemical to water rather than water to chemical, and retest before adding more. This engine does not decide whether a pool is safe to swim in.
Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice. Check any decision that matters with a qualified professional.
See something wrong? Report a problem with this calculator
Frequently asked questions
How many lbs of shock for a 30000 gallon pool?
On the figures this page opens with — length 10 ft, width 20 ft and average depth 5 ft — the product to add (liquids) is 1.595 L. No single number fits everyone: change any figure above and the answer updates as you type, with each step of the arithmetic beside it.
How much shock for a 6000 gallon pool?
It needs Pool shape, Length, Width, Diameter, Average depth and Shallow end depth. Nothing else is required, and the figures stay in your browser.
How much does 1 pound of shock raise chlorine levels?
The result gives Volume, Water surface area, Average depth used, Product to add, Product to add (liquids) and Chemical, each labelled with its unit so the figure can be read on its own.
What is the formula for pool shock?
The page opens with worked default figures: product to add (liquids) of 1.595 L. Replace them with your own and every figure updates as you type.
What information do I need for the Pool Shock Calculator?
You need Pool shape, Length, Width, Diameter, Average depth, Shallow end depth, Deep end depth and Known volume. The page opens with default figures that give product to add (liquids) of 1.595 L, so you can see the scale before entering your own.
What does this Pool Shock Calculator show?
It shows Volume, Water surface area, Average depth used, Product to add, Product to add (liquids), Chemical and Cyanuric acid this dose also adds, with the working and any warnings for your entries.