Pool pump turnover calculator
Pool size, hours of filtration and turnovers per day: you get pool volume and the minimum pump flow.
Minimum pump flow
5.6 m³/h
- Minimum pump flow5.6 m³/h
- Pool volume44.8 m³
- Litres of water44800 l
- Flow in litres per minute93.33 l/min
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How it's calculated (visible formula)
volume = length × width × average depth; flow = volume × turnovers ÷ hours
- Net geometric measurement, no waste.
- Adjustable waste % for cuts and breakage.
- Purchase rounded up to sellable units (boxes, bags, buckets, boards).
How to calculate it, step by step
- Measure pool length and width.
- Average depth = (shallow + deep) ÷ 2.
- Work out the volume.
- Pick daily run hours and turnovers.
- Get minimum flow and match pump and filter.
Worked example: 26 × 13 ft pool, 4.6 ft average depth, 8 h run time
- Volume: 44.8 m³ (11,840 gal)
- 11,840 ÷ 8 h ÷ 60 ≈ 25 gpm
→ A pump delivering at least 25 gpm against your system head.
Common mistakes
- Sizing by rated flow without system head.
- Too few hours in summer.
- A filter smaller than the pump flow.
Pro tips
- Check the pump curve at your real head.
- The filter must handle the pump's flow.
- Run during the hottest, busiest hours.
- A variable-speed pump cuts energy use a lot.
From calculation to quote
Add labour, overhead and your margin, and generate the professional PDF.
FAQs
- How long should I run the pool pump?
- Long enough for one turnover a day, typically 8–12 hours.
- How do I find average depth?
- (shallow + deep) ÷ 2 for a uniform slope.
- Variable-speed pump?
- Running longer at lower speed saves a lot of energy.
- What size pump for a 12,000 gal pool?
- About 25–40 gpm depending on run time.
- Sand, cartridge or DE filter?
- DE filters finest; cartridge saves water; sand is simplest.
- When should I backwash?
- When pressure rises 8–10 psi above clean.
Sources and standards
Maintained by Srikanta M · Formula v1.0.0 · Verified 2026-09-10 · Updated 2026-09-10 · Limits: quantity estimation, not structural design or site supervision.