How many gallons in a 16×32 inground pool?

Sixteen by thirty-two is the most common residential inground size in the US — the standard vinyl-liner kit, and a common gunite plan. The surface is 512 sq ft either way; what changes the gallons is the deep end.

What changes the gallons in a 16×32

• Sport pool vs diving pool. A play pool that slopes from 3.5 ft to about 6 ft averages 4.75 ft and holds roughly 18,200 gallons. A diving version that drops to 8 ft averages 5.75 ft and holds about 22,000 — some 3,800 gallons more, which is a 20% bigger chlorine and salt dose.
• Hopper vs straight slope. Most 16×32 vinyl kits with an 8 ft end use a hopper — a bowl about 8 ft long in the deep end — so the true volume lands a little under the straight-slope figure. For chemical dosing the difference is small.
• Steps and benches. A walk-in step takes out roughly 100 gallons; it doesn’t matter for doses.
• Gallons per inch. 512 sq ft holds about 319 gallons per inch of water level. Lowering the pool 6 in for winter drains roughly 1,900 gallons.

Not a rectangle? How many gallons in a kidney-shaped pool shows the freeform formula. Bigger and smaller neighbours are worked out too: how many gallons in an 18x36 inground pool and how many gallons in a 20x40 inground pool. Once you have the number, how much chlorine for a 20,000 gallon pool is the nearest worked dose for a diving 16×32.