Pool Chemistry Calculator — Chlorine, pH & Alkalinity Dosing
Quick answer: Enter pool size and current/target levels for chlorine, pH, and alkalinity. Get exact ounce-amounts to add.
Calculate the exact amount of chlorine (calcium hypochlorite), pH adjuster (muriatic acid or soda ash), and alkalinity booster (sodium bicarbonate) to balance your pool. Most pool stores keep these formulas to themselves; this calculator gives you the math directly.
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Last reviewed: April 2026Report an error
Chlorine (target 1-3 ppm)
pH (target 7.4-7.6)
Alkalinity (target 80-120 ppm)
Add These Chemicals
4.5 oz cal-hypo + 108.0 oz baking soda
Add in this order: alkalinity first, then pH adjuster, then chlorine. Wait 30 min between additions.
Chlorine (cal-hypo 65%)
4.50 oz
Muriatic acid (31.45%)
36.00 oz
Alkalinity (baking soda)
108.00 oz
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How to Use This Pool Chemistry Calculator
- 1Enter pool gallons.
- 2Test current chlorine, pH, and alkalinity with a kit.
- 3Enter target levels (chlorine 1-3 ppm, pH 7.4-7.6, alkalinity 80-120 ppm).
- 4Read the chemical doses to add.
- 5Add chemicals one at a time, retest after each.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Always: alkalinity first (it stabilizes pH), then pH adjustment, then chlorine. Wait at least 30 minutes between additions and run the pump throughout.
- Alkalinity buffers pH. With low alkalinity (<60 ppm), pH swings wildly with any chemical addition or rainfall, making the pool hard to balance.
- Cal-hypo is typically 65-78%. The calculator assumes 65%. If your bag says 73% or 78%, reduce the dose proportionally.
- Yes. Household 8.25% bleach: roughly 6 oz raises 10,000 gal by 1 ppm chlorine. Bleach also doesn't add calcium, which is a plus for vinyl liner pools.
- At least 2x/week during swimming season, daily after heavy use or rain. Quality test kits beat strips for accuracy.
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