Pool Plumbing Calculator

Pipe sizing and plumbing materials for pool circulation.

Pool volume (gallons)

Turnover time (hours)

Suction run (ft)

Return run (ft)

Number of return jets

Average pool depth (ft)

Tab to move between fields

Required flow rate (GPM)

31.3

Suction pipe size (in)1.5

Return pipe size (in)1.5

Total pipe needed (ft)188

90-degree elbows24

Tee fittings2

Valves needed3

Return wall fittings3

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the pool volume in gallons (use the Pool Volume calculator if unsure).
Set the turnover time in hours — residential pools typically target 6-8 hours.
Enter the suction run length in feet from the skimmer/drain to the pump.
Enter the return run length from the pump/filter to the farthest return jet.
Set the number of return jets — a rule of thumb is one return per 5,000 gallons.
Review Required Flow Rate (GPM), Suction Pipe Size, and Return Pipe Size to specify equipment and pipe.

How the result changes with Turnover time (hours)

Pool volume (gallons): Total water volume of the pool in US gallons.
Turnover time (hours): Hours to circulate the entire pool volume once. Residential pools typically use 6-8 hours.
Suction run (ft): Distance from skimmer/main drain to the pump in feet.
Return run (ft): Distance from pump/filter to the farthest return fitting.
Number of return jets: Number of wall return fittings (typically 1 per 5,000 gallons).
Average pool depth (ft): Average depth for vertical pipe run calculations.

Required flow rate (GPM): Gallons per minute needed to achieve the target turnover.
Suction pipe size (in): Recommended Schedule 40 PVC pipe diameter for suction side (max 6 ft/s velocity).
Return pipe size (in): Recommended pipe diameter for each return line (max 8 ft/s velocity).
Total pipe needed (ft): Combined length of suction and return piping.
90-degree elbows: Estimated number of 90-degree elbows needed.
Tee fittings: Number of tee fittings for return manifold.
Valves needed: Minimum valves: suction, return, and main drain.
Return wall fittings: Number of return jet fittings to install.

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Pool volume (gallons) = 15000, Turnover time (hours) = 8, Suction run (ft) = 30, Return run (ft) = 40 = 6 input(s) provided
Calculate Required flow rate
Required flow rate = poolVolumeGal / (turnoverHours * 60)
31.3 = 31.3
Calculate Suction pipe size
Suction pipe size
1.5 = 1.5
Calculate Return pipe size
Return pipe size
1.5 = 1.5