Pool Alkalinity PPM Calculator
Total alkalinity of 80–120 PPM keeps your pH from swinging wildly. Low alkalinity? Baking soda fixes it — this tells you exactly how much for your pool size.
Calculator
Pool Alkalinity PPM Calculator
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Total alkalinity of 80–120 PPM keeps your pH from swinging wildly. Low alkalinity? Baking soda fixes it — this tells you exactly how much for your pool size.
How to use this calculator
- Enter pool volume and current TA.
- Enter target (80–120).
- Get grams of baking soda.
The formula
Approximate: 1.5 g of baking soda per 1,000 L raises TA by ~1 PPM.
What the inputs mean
The target is the concentration you want, in PPM. The volume is how much liquid you are treating. The current level is what is already in the water — the calculator only adds the difference, so you never double-dose. The result tells you exactly how much sodium bicarbonate to add.
Worked example
50,000 L pool from 60 to 100 PPM: 40 × 50 × 1.5 = 3,000 g baking soda.
Quick reference
| Pool size | Baking soda per 10 PPM rise |
|---|---|
| 25,000 L | 375 g |
| 50,000 L | 750 g |
Approximate; re-test after 24h.
Where you will actually use this
pH bounce frustrates every pool owner; stable alkalinity is the actual fix.
- pH bounce correction
- Pool startup balancing
- After acid additions
Mistakes that give wrong answers
- Raising pH and alkalinity at the same time blindly
- Overshooting (lowering TA is harder)
Key takeaways
- Formula: Baking soda (g) ≈ PPM rise needed × Pool volume (L) ÷ 1,000 × 1.5
- Remember: Approximate; re-test after 24h.
- Watch out for: Raising pH and alkalinity at the same time blindly
- Next step: run your own numbers in the calculator above, then verify with a measurement — calculated values are only as good as the inputs.
Frequently asked questions
What is ideal pool alkalinity?
80–120 PPM.
Does baking soda raise pH too?
Slightly — that is usually fine when TA was low.