Pool Chemistry Chart: Complete Reference for Every Chemical
Bookmark this page as your quick reference for all pool chemistry targets and dosing amounts. This pool chemistry chart covers six parameters, dosing tables for raising and lowering each, the FC/CYA relationship table, shock dosing, chemical safety rules, and a testing schedule, all in one place. We compiled targets from Leslie’s Pool, InTheSwim, SwimUniversity, and TroubleFreePool into one reference. For a deeper explanation of any parameter, follow the links within each section to the dedicated guide. For full context on how everything fits together, see our complete pool chemistry guide.
Pool chemistry target ranges chart
The standard pool chemistry targets: Free Chlorine 2-4 ppm, pH 7.4-7.6, Total Alkalinity 80-120 ppm, Cyanuric Acid 30-50 ppm, Calcium Hardness 200-275 ppm (plaster) or 175-225 ppm (fiberglass/vinyl), and Combined Chlorine below 0.5 ppm.
| Parameter | Ideal | Acceptable | Action if Low | Action if High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Chlorine (FC) | 2-4 ppm | 1-5 ppm | Add chlorine | Wait; don’t swim above 5 ppm |
| pH | 7.4-7.6 | 7.2-7.8 | Add soda ash | Add muriatic acid |
| Total Alkalinity (TA) | 80-120 ppm | 60-150 ppm | Add baking soda | Add muriatic acid |
| Cyanuric Acid (CYA) | 30-50 ppm | 20-100 ppm | Add stabilizer | Partial drain |
| Calcium Hardness (CH) | 200-275 ppm* | 150-400 ppm | Add calcium chloride | Partial drain |
| Combined Chlorine (CC) | 0 ppm | Below 0.5 ppm | Shock pool | (Always needs correction) |
*CH target varies by pool surface type. See the surface-specific table below.
Source note on TA: Leslie’s Pool chemistry target ranges{:target=“_blank”} uses 80-120 ppm as the mainstream standard. The TroubleFreePool (TFP) method targets 50-90 ppm for liquid chlorine and saltwater generator users, because liquid chlorine does not acidify the water the way tablets do. If you use Tri-Chlor or Di-Chlor tablets, target 80-120 ppm. If you use liquid chlorine or a SWG, 70-90 ppm is often more stable.
Calcium hardness target by surface type
Calcium hardness requirements depend on your pool surface. Plaster and gunite pools are the most demanding; vinyl and fiberglass are more forgiving.
| Surface Type | Ideal CH | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Plaster/gunite | 250-275 ppm | 200 ppm |
| Pebble finish | 250-275 ppm | 200 ppm |
| Vinyl liner | 175-225 ppm | 150 ppm (for equipment protection) |
| Fiberglass | 175-225 ppm | 150 ppm (for equipment protection) |
| Any surface with gas heater | 200 ppm minimum | 200 ppm |
Note from TroubleFreePool: Vinyl and fiberglass surfaces do not require high calcium to protect themselves (water cannot leach calcium from non-porous surfaces). The minimum calcium for vinyl and fiberglass pools exists to protect metal equipment, not the pool shell.
Pool chemical dosing chart
To raise pool Total Alkalinity by 10 ppm in a 10,000-gallon pool, add 1.5 lbs of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). To lower TA by 10 ppm, add 1 quart of muriatic acid with the pump off.
Raise parameters: how much to add
| To Raise | Chemical | Amount per 10,000 gal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH by 0.2 | Soda ash (sodium carbonate) | 6 oz | pH only; minimal TA effect |
| pH by 0.4 | Soda ash | 12 oz | pH only; minimal TA effect |
| TA by 10 ppm | Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) | 1.5 lbs | TA + minor pH rise |
| CYA by 10 ppm | Stabilizer (cyanuric acid) | 1 lb per 4,000 gal | CYA only; slow to register |
| CH by 10 ppm | Calcium chloride | 1 lb | CH only |
| FC by ~8 ppm | Cal-Hypo 65% | 1 lb | FC + CH increase |
| FC by ~8 ppm | Liquid chlorine 10% | 1 gallon | FC only; no CH or CYA added |
See our pool stabilizer guide for the full process of adding CYA without over-shooting, and for how to interpret test results after addition.
Lower parameters: how much to add
| To Lower | Chemical | Amount per 10,000 gal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH by 0.2 | Muriatic acid 31.45% | 10 oz | pH + TA decrease |
| pH by 0.4 | Muriatic acid 31.45% | 20 oz | pH + TA decrease |
| TA by 10 ppm | Muriatic acid (pump off) | 1 quart | TA + pH; allow circulation before retesting |
| FC (too high) | Sodium thiosulfate | Per label | FC only; use sparingly |
| CYA | Partial drain | Drain 25% = 25% CYA reduction | Only option; CYA cannot be chemically removed |
| CH | Partial drain | Drain 25% = 25% CH reduction | Only option; no chemical lowers calcium |
Dosing figures sourced from InTheSwim chemical dosage charts via their pool operations reference. All amounts are for standard chemical concentrations listed in the tip box above.
FC/CYA minimum chart (TFP method)
This is the most important table for chlorine effectiveness. Cyanuric acid (CYA/stabilizer) protects chlorine from UV degradation but also reduces its sanitizing power. Without CYA, 50% of free chlorine is lost within 35 minutes of direct sun. With 30 ppm CYA, that 50% loss takes 7 hours. The tradeoff: the higher the CYA, the more free chlorine you need to maintain effective sanitation.
| CYA Level | Minimum FC | SLAM Level |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ppm | 2 ppm | 12 ppm |
| 30 ppm | 2 ppm | 12 ppm |
| 40 ppm | 3 ppm | 16 ppm |
| 50 ppm | 4 ppm | 20 ppm |
| 60 ppm | 5 ppm | 24 ppm |
| 70 ppm | 6 ppm | 28 ppm |
| 80 ppm | 7 ppm | 31 ppm |
| 90 ppm | 8 ppm | 35 ppm |
SLAM level is the FC concentration needed to kill algae and recover from contamination (the Shock Level and Maintain process). At CYA above 90 ppm, SLAM becomes impractical because you need extraordinary amounts of chlorine. CYA above 100 ppm is commonly referred to as “chlorine lock” and the only solution is a partial drain.
Pool shock dosage chart
Shock requirements vary by situation. Use this table to determine how much to add for each scenario.
| Situation | Cal-Hypo 65% / 10k gal | Di-Chlor 56% / 10k gal | Wait to Swim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly preventive | 1.2 lbs | 1.4 lbs | 8 hours |
| After heavy use | 2-2.5 lbs | 2.5-3 lbs | 8-12 hours |
| Algae treatment (30 ppm) | 3.6 lbs | 4.2 lbs | 24 hours |
| Non-chlorine MPS | Per label | n/a | 15 minutes |
Shock tips:
- Shock at dusk or night. UV degrades chlorine rapidly in sunlight, wasting the dose.
- Pre-dissolve Cal-Hypo in a bucket of pool water before adding to prevent bleaching the pool liner or floor.
- Never add algaecide until FC drops below 5 ppm. See our pool algaecide guide for timing and product selection.
See our dedicated pool shock treatment guide for the full procedure, including SLAM steps for severe algae.
Chemical addition order and safety rules
Addition order
Always follow this sequence when adding multiple chemicals:
- Total Alkalinity (baking soda), sets the buffer for all other adjustments
- pH (soda ash up / muriatic acid down), only after TA is stable
- Sanitizer (chlorine), after pH is in range
- Other chemicals (algaecide, clarifier, phosphate remover), last, after sanitizer
Safety rules (CPO standards)
These standards come from CPO chemical addition safety standards{:target=“_blank”} used in commercial pool operator certification training:
- AAA Rule: Always Add Acid to water. Never add water to acid (violent exothermic reaction).
- Never mix chemicals in the same bucket. Some combinations ignite or release toxic gas.
- Use a separate clean scoop for each chemical. Cross-contamination between chemicals can cause reactions in the container.
- Wait 15-30 minutes between different chemical additions. Allow the first to distribute before adding the next.
- Always wear gloves. For liquid muriatic acid, add eye protection.
- Test 4-6 hours after adding chemicals for an accurate reading. Testing too soon gives inaccurate results.
- Add chemicals near a return fitting with the pump running to aid distribution.
Swim wait times after shocking:
| Shock Type | Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Cal-Hypo | 8-24 hours (test FC before swimming) |
| Liquid chlorine | 8 hours (test FC before swimming) |
| Non-chlorine shock (MPS) | 15 minutes |
Pool chemistry testing schedule
| Parameter | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free Chlorine | 2-3x/week | Test before swimming in peak summer |
| pH | 2-3x/week | Test alongside FC each time |
| Total Alkalinity | Monthly | Test when pH is unstable |
| CYA | Monthly | Especially for tablet users (CYA accumulates) |
| Calcium Hardness | Monthly | Quarterly in stable, established pools |
| Combined Chlorine (CC) | When water looks off | Above 0.5 ppm triggers shock |
| Salt (SWG only) | Monthly | Use dedicated salt test strips |
We recommend testing FC and pH more frequently during the first week after opening, after heavy rain, or during heat waves when evaporation concentrates chemicals faster.
Quick links to detailed guides
- Pool stabilizer guide, CYA: how much to add, what too much means, how to lower it
- Pool shock treatment guide, when and how to shock, SLAM process for algae
- Pool algaecide guide, types of algaecide, timing rules, when it works vs. when it doesn’t
- Hot tub chemical chart, hot tub chemistry differs from pool chemistry; separate targets apply
- Hot tub sanitizer guide, bromine vs chlorine for spas, testing frequency at spa temperatures
- Complete pool chemistry guide, the full guide to water balance, troubleshooting, and seasonal adjustments