How many gallons in a kiddie pool?
A typical 58 in round kiddie pool filled 9 in deep holds about 103 gallons by the straight-sided formula. Intex lists 87 gallons for its 58 in inflatable pool at that depth, because the thick ring makes the inside smaller.
How to work it out
- 3.1416 × (58 in ÷ 2)² = 18 sq ft
- × 9 in deep = 23,779 cu in ÷ 231 = 103 gal
- ÷ 7.5 gal a minute = 14 minutes
Most kiddie pools sold in the US are 4–6 ft across and filled well under a foot deep, so they hold somewhere between about 50 and 150 gallons. That is a few bathtubs’ worth — small enough to dump and refill every day, which is what the CDC recommends.
Adjust for your project
More options: Flow
- Water surface
- 18.3 sq ft
- Minutes to fill
- 14 minutes
- Weight of the water
- 859 lb
- Inflatable pools with sloping or rounded sides hold less than a straight-sided box of the same size — Intex’s listed figure for its 58 in pool is about 16% below this estimate.
Round kiddie pools filled 9 in deep
| Inside diameter | Gallons of water | Minutes to fill |
|---|---|---|
| 36 in | 40 gal | 5 minutes |
| 45 in | 62 gal | 8 minutes |
| 58 in | 103 gal | 14 minutes |
| 66 in | 133 gal | 18 minutes |
| 72 in | 159 gal | 21 minutes |
Typical kiddie pool volumes
- 58 in round inflatable, 9 in deep: about 103 gallons by the formula, 87 gallons by Intex’s listing.
- 64 × 42 in inflatable (Intex My Sea Friends), 11 in deep: Intex lists 61 gallons — the curved sides and padded floor take up a lot of room.
- 90 × 60 in family pool, 13 in deep: Intex lists 159 gallons.
- Hard plastic pools have thinner, straighter walls, so the formula is closer — measure inside the rim.
At a hose rate of about 7.5 gallons a minute (an example; hoses vary), a 100-gallon pool fills in under 15 minutes. The water weighs about 8.3 lb a gallon, so even a small kiddie pool is several hundred pounds — set it on level ground, not a balcony.
Because the CDC says not to add chlorine or bromine to kiddie pools, there is no chemical dose to work out: fill, use, empty, dry. For a filtered pool that can be chlorinated, see how many gallons in a 12x30 pool; its doses are in the liquid chlorine calculator.
Different size? Use the full Kiddie Pool Gallons Calculator.
What you’ll need
- Leaf skimmer netBudget price
Leaves and debris use up chlorine as they break down; netting them out first saves chemical.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Hose water flow meterBudget price
Screws onto the hose and counts gallons, so you know exactly how much went in — and your real fill rate.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Pool test stripsBudget price
Quick daily checks. Fine for spotting a trend; use a drop kit when you’re about to add a big dose or shock.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to products are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra and help keep these calculators free.
Frequently asked questions
How many gallons in a 45 in kiddie pool, 8 in deep?
About 55 gallons by the straight-sided formula; an inflatable ring holds a little less.
How many gallons in a 6 ft kiddie pool, 10 in deep?
About 176 gallons.
How many gallons in a 90 × 60 in family pool, 13 in deep?
About 304 gallons as a straight-sided box; Intex lists 159 gallons for its 90 × 60 in inflatable at that depth.
Sources
- CDC Healthy Swimming — Inflatable and plastic kiddie pools (opens in a new tab) — Empty kiddie pools at least daily; it is unsafe to add chlorine or bromine to them.
- Intex Rainbow Ombre inflatable kiddie pool — product page (opens in a new tab) — 58 in × 13 in; 87 gal at 9 in of wall height.
- Intex My Sea Friends inflatable kiddie pool — product page (opens in a new tab) — 64 × 42 × 18 in; 61 gal at 11 in of wall height.
- Intex Tropical Swim Center family pool — product page (opens in a new tab) — 90 × 60 × 19 in; 159 gal at 13 in of wall height.
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C (opens in a new tab) — 1 US gallon = 231 cubic inches.