How many gallons is a 12 ft round pool?
A 12 ft round pool with a 30 in wall holds about 1,400 to 1,700 gallons.
On this page (7 sections)
Bestway rates the Fast Set 12 ft × 30 in at 1,421 gallons. Intex rates its Easy Set at 1,485 gallons and its Metal Frame and Prism Frame at 1,718 gallons.
Quick answer: 12 ft round pool gallons by wall height
Most 12 ft pools in our list have a 30 in wall. The plain geometry at 90% fill gives 1,904 gallons for that wall and 2,284 gallons for a 36 in wall (the "12x36" size people search for). The estimate columns multiply that by our typical ratio of rated capacity to geometry: 0.93 for frame pools and 0.87 for inflatable-ring pools.
| Wall height | Geometry | Frame pool estimate (× 0.93) | Inflatable estimate (× 0.87) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 in wall | 1,904 gal | 1,770 gal | 1,656 gal |
| 36 in wall | 2,284 gal | 2,124 gal | 1,987 gal |
Geometry = π/4 × 12² × water depth in feet × 7.48. Taller walls (42 to 54 in) are in the data block below.
Manufacturer capacities for this size
Our database has five 12 ft × 30 in pools, and their ratings don't agree. The two inflatable-ring pools (Bestway Fast Set, Intex Easy Set) are rated at 80% fill, and the frame pools at 90%. The biggest gap, Fast Set against Metal Frame, is 297 gallons, so the frame pool needs about 21% more of every chemical. The Bestway Steel Pro MAX figure of 1,710 gallons comes from a page that now redirects, so we could not confirm it.
| Wall height | Geometry | Frame pool estimate (× 0.93) | Inflatable estimate (× 0.87) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42 in wall | 2,665 gal10,088 L | 2,478 gal | 2,319 gal |
| 48 in wall | 3,046 gal11,529 L | 2,832 gal | 2,650 gal |
| 52 in wall | 3,300 gal12,490 L | 3,069 gal | 2,871 gal |
| 54 in wall | 3,426 gal12,970 L | 3,187 gal | 2,981 gal |
Geometry = π/4 × diameter² × water depth × 7.48. Real pools hold less than the nominal size suggests. The factors are medians of 26 manufacturer capacities (our own calculation).
| Model | Capacity | Fill basis | Real ÷ nominal geometry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intex Easy Set 12ft x 30in | 1,485 gal5,621 L | 80% fill | 0.878 | manufacturer |
| Intex Metal Frame 12ft x 30in | 1,718 gal6,503 L | 90% fill | 0.903 | manufacturer |
| Intex Prism Frame 12ft x 30in | 1,718 gal6,503 L | 90% fill | 0.903 | manufacturer |
| Bestway Fast Set 12ft x 30in | 1,421 gal5,379 L | 80% fill | 0.840 | manufacturer |
| Bestway Steel Pro MAX 12ft x 30in | 1,710 gal6,473 L | 90% fill | 0.898 | not confirmed |
| Change | Amount |
|---|---|
| +1 ppm FC (12.5% liquid chlorine) | 2.9 fl oz86 mL |
| +10 ppm TA (baking soda) | 6.3 oz180 g |
| +10 ppm CYA (stabilizer) | 3.8 oz107 g |
Closest full chart: 3,000 gal dose chart.
Always follow your product’s label directions. Pool and spa chlorine, bromine, shock and algaecides are EPA-registered pesticides: use products labeled for pool or spa use, and don’t swim or soak until levels are within the limit on your product’s label. If this page and a label disagree, the label wins.
The block's "Starting doses" are sized for a 48 in wall (about 2,832 gallons). For a 30 in pool, use the next section.
Starting doses for this volume
| Change | Bestway Fast Set (1,421 gal) | Intex Metal Frame / Prism Frame (1,718 gal) |
|---|---|---|
| +1 ppm free chlorine (FC), 12.5% liquid chlorine | 1.5 fl oz | 1.8 fl oz |
| +1 ppm FC, 6% household bleach | 2.9 fl oz | 3.5 fl oz |
| +10 ppm total alkalinity (TA), baking soda | 3.2 oz | 3.9 oz |
| Stabilizer (CYA) 0 to 30 ppm | 5.7 oz | 6.9 oz |
Weigh dry products on a kitchen scale; scoops vary. Always follow the product label. It is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.
The Intex Easy Set (1,485 gallons) sits between the two columns: 1.5 fl oz of 12.5% chlorine per ppm. The closest full chart is the 2,000-gallon dose chart. Scale its amounts down to your real capacity. Start-up steps for soft-sided pools are in above-ground pool care.
Calculator: your exact depth
The calculator starts at a 48 in wall. Change "Wall height" to 30 (or 36), set how full you keep it, and pick "Inflatable ring" or "Metal frame". Our estimate is usually within ±7% of the rated capacity, but your model's own number is better.
Chemicals per week for this size (estimate from your own loss)
Test free chlorine at the same time of day, two days in a row. The drop is your daily loss. For a 1,718-gallon frame pool, 1.5 ppm a day works out to 18 fl oz of 12.5% liquid chlorine a week, and 2 ppm a day to 25 fl oz. In the 1,421-gallon Fast Set, the same losses need 15 and 20 fl oz. A pool without stabilizer loses chlorine to sunlight much faster, so if your daily loss is large, check CYA before buying more chlorine. The targets are in how much chlorine to add.
Safety. Add chemicals one at a time with the pump running, and wait at least 30 minutes between chlorine and pH products. Never mix products in a bucket. Store chlorine away from acid and out of children's reach. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.
FAQ
How many gallons is a 12 ft round 30 in pool?
1,421 to 1,718 gallons, depending on the model: Bestway Fast Set 1,421, Intex Easy Set 1,485, and Intex Metal Frame and Prism Frame 1,718. The plain geometry at 90% fill gives 1,904, which real pools don't reach.
How much chlorine for a 12 ft pool?
About 1.5 to 1.8 fl oz of 12.5% liquid chlorine, or 2.9 to 3.5 fl oz of 6% bleach, for each 1 ppm. A 2 ppm top-up in the Fast Set is about 2.9 fl oz of 12.5% chlorine; 3 ppm in a frame pool is about 5.3 fl oz.
How long does it take to fill a 12 ft pool?
At 5 gallons per minute, a 1,718-gallon pool takes about 5.7 hours; at 10 gallons per minute, about 2.9 hours. Time a 5-gallon bucket at your hose to learn your flow.
Sources
- Intex Easy Set, Metal Frame, and Prism Frame 12 ft × 30 in, read 2026-09-29: intexcorp.com
- Bestway Fast Set 12 ft × 30 in, read 2026-09-29: bestwayusa.com
- Volume formulas, correction factors, and dose math: methodology