Bring 5,200 ppm down toward 3,200 ppm
High salt warning
Inputs
- 15,000 gal pool
- 5,200 ppm current salt
- 3,200 ppm target
Drain and refill about 5,769 gal, or 38.5% of the pool.
Retest after circulation before draining more water.
Dilution calculator
Estimate drain-and-refill volume when pool salt is too high.
Salt does not evaporate out of pool water. When the salt level is above the target range, the common correction is replacing a portion of the water with fresh water and retesting.
Calculator
Pool salt calculator
Auto-calculates as you type.
Volume input
Use average depth for pools with a shallow and deep end. For unusual shapes, split the pool into simpler sections and add the estimates.
Calculator
Pool volume calculator
Estimate gallons before adding salt.
Calculator
Pool salt dilution calculator
Estimate drain and refill volume.
Salt overflow mode
Result examples
See the kind of output this tool produces.
These curated examples make the calculator result easier to understand before you enter your own pool reading.
Correct a smaller high-salt reading
Moderate overshoot
Inputs
- 12,000 gal pool
- 4,000 ppm current salt
- 3,200 ppm target
Drain and refill about 2,400 gal, or 20% of the pool.
A staged drain can reduce risk when groundwater or local restrictions matter.
Avoid unnecessary draining
No dilution needed
Inputs
- 3,100 ppm current salt
- 3,200 ppm target
Dilution is not needed because current salinity is not above target.
Confirm the test reading before changing water chemistry.
Simplified formula
Drain ratio = 1 - target ppm / current ppm
Multiply that ratio by total pool volume to estimate the water to drain and refill. This is a practical estimate, not a replacement for retesting after circulation.
Example
If current salt is 5200 ppm and target is 3200 ppm, replace about 38.5% of the pool water, then circulate and retest.
Safety note
Drain only when it is safe for your pool structure, groundwater conditions, and local water restrictions.
Pool salt dilution FAQ
How do I lower salt level in a saltwater pool?
Salt does not evaporate, so the practical correction is replacing part of the pool water with fresh water. The calculator estimates the drain percentage and refill volume.
How much water should I drain if pool salt is too high?
Enter the current ppm, target ppm, and pool volume. The calculator uses the dilution ratio to estimate how many gallons, liters, or cubic meters to replace.
Should I retest after draining and refilling?
Yes. Circulate the water and retest before making another correction. Test readings, refill water, and mixing time can all shift the final salinity.