Above Ground Pool Chemicals Calculator Australia
Most dose charts start at 30,000 L. A 3.7 m round pool holds a fifth to a quarter of that, so a measure sized for a bigger pool overshoots fast. This chart starts at 3,000 L and gives doses in millilitres and grams.
Know your volume and target first
- Use the water volume, not the box capacity. Makers usually quote capacity at a fill line below the wall height, so measure the depth you actually fill to and use the pool volume guide if you are unsure.
- Most Australian health guidance puts free chlorine at about 1–3 ppm for chlorinated pools. Hold pH near 7.2–7.6 so the chlorine works.
- Small pools swing quickly. Full sun, a few swimmers or a top-up from the hose can change the readings in a day, so test before every dose rather than dosing on a schedule.
Australian dose chart
Each cell shows 12.5% liquid chlorine in millilitres, then stabilised dichlor granules (about 56% available chlorine) in grams. Liquid chlorine needs about 8 mL per 1,000 L for each 1 ppm; dichlor needs about 1.8 g per 1,000 L. Check the strength on your product and scale the dose if it differs.
| Pool volume | Raise free chlorine by 1 ppm | Raise free chlorine by 3 ppm (new fill or after heavy use) |
|---|---|---|
| 3,000 L | 24 mL / 5 g | 72 mL / 16 g |
| 5,000 L | 40 mL / 9 g | 120 mL / 27 g |
| 8,000 L | 64 mL / 14 g | 192 mL / 43 g |
| 10,000 L | 80 mL / 18 g | 240 mL / 54 g |
| 15,000 L | 120 mL / 27 g | 360 mL / 80 g |
| 20,000 L | 160 mL / 36 g | 480 mL / 107 g |
How to dose without overshooting
- Work out the litres in the pool at its normal water level. Re-measure after a big top-up, because the dose scales with volume.
- Test free chlorine and pH with a fresh strip or drop kit. Do not add chlorine until you have a reading.
- Subtract the reading from your target and take the dose from the matching volume row. Start with half if you are unsure of the volume.
- Dissolve granules in a clean bucket of pool water first, then pour the solution slowly around the pool edge with the filter running. Do not tip dry granules onto a vinyl liner.
- Wait for the product label’s mixing time, retest, and only then add more. Keep swimmers out until the reading is back in range.
Want the numbers worked out for you? Enter your pool volume and test results in our pool chemical calculator to see every dose in one check.
Safety and system checks
- Follow the pool maker’s manual. Granules or tablets left resting against a vinyl liner can bleach it, and some inflatable-pool makers void the warranty for chemical damage.
- Never mix liquid chlorine, granules, acid or any other pool chemical, and never add water to concentrated chemicals.
- Dichlor adds stabiliser (CYA) with every dose, and a small pool reaches the upper limit quickly. Test CYA, and switch to liquid chlorine once it nears 50 ppm.
- Store chemicals locked away from children and pets.