The total weight of the swimming pool is required near the bottom of your structural plan, construction bill of quantities, as well as to consider safety of the swimming pool. The overall weight will vary based on the water volume, pool type, and accessories.

How to find out the total weight of a swimming pool?

The weight of a pool is made up of:

• Water Weight — The weight of the water gathered inside the pool.
• Pool Structure Weight – The weight of the pool shell (concrete, fiberglass, vinyl, etc.)
• Extra Load (Optional) Weight of pool furnishings (ladders, tiles, appliances).

Calculate the Volume of Your Pool Water

For a rectangular pool, you can use this formula to find the volume of water:

Formula:

$\text{Pool Volume} = \text{Length} \times \text{Width} \times \text{Average Depth}$

For circular pools, use:

$\text{Pool Volume} = \pi \times \left(\frac{\text{Diameter}}{2}\right)^2 \times \text{Average Depth}$

Step 2: Convert Pool Volume to Water Weight

Since 1 cubic foot of water weighs 62.4 lbs (28.3 kg), we calculate the water weight as:

Formula (in pounds):

$\text{Water Weight (lbs)} = \text{Pool Volume (ft}^3\text{)} \times 62.4$

Formula (in kilograms):

$\text{Water Weight (kg)} = \text{Pool Volume (m}^3\text{)} \times 1000$

Step 3: Calculate Pool Structure Weight

Formula:

$\text{Structure Weight} = \text{Pool Surface Area} \times \text{Material Weight per ft}^2$

Step 4: Calculate Total Pool Weight

The total pool weight is the sum of water weight, pool structure weight, and additional loads (tiles, ladders, etc.).

Formula:

$\text{Total Pool Weight} = \text{Water Weight} + \text{Structure Weight} + \text{Additional Load}$

Example Calculation

Given Data (Rectangular Pool):

• Length: 30 ft
• Width: 15 ft
• Average Depth: 5 ft
• Material: Concrete (150 lbs/ft²)
• Additional Load: 500 lbs

Step 1: Calculate Pool Volume

$\text{Pool Volume} = 30 \times 15 \times 5 = 2250 \text{ ft}^3$

Step 2: Calculate Water Weight

$\text{Water Weight} = 2250 \times 62.4 = 140,400 \text{ lbs}$

Step 3: Calculate Structure Weight

Assume surface area = (length × width) + (2 × depth × length) + (2 × depth × width)

$\text{Structure Weight} = 1050 \times 150 = 157,500 \text{ lbs}$

Step 4: Calculate Total Pool Weight

$\text{Total Pool Weight} = 140,400 + 157,500 + 500 = 298,400 \text{ lbs}$

Final Output for the Example:

• Water Weight: 140,400 lbs
• Structure Weight: 157,500 lbs
• Additional Load: 500 lbs
• Total Pool Weight: 298,400 lbs (≈ 149.2 tons)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is pool weight important?

The impact of pool weight on structure, foundation design, and material selection. Weight must not be neglected because it can lead to structural failures.

2. Avg Weight of a Swimming Pool

• Small fiberglass pool (10,000 gallons) = 83,500 lbs.
• For reference: Medium concrete pool (20,000 gallons) = 166,000 lbs
• Olympic sized swimming pool = 5+ million lbs

3. Does this calculator for above ground pools?

Yes! Free-standing pools are lighter because they are made of lighter materials like vinyl and steel.

4. How does the pool material impact total weight?

Concrete pools are the heaviest, while fiberglass and vinyl pools are lighter.

5. Can I use metric units?

Yes! If working in metric, convert feet to meters and pounds to kilograms.