How many gallons is a 12x24 pool?
A 12 × 24 ft above-ground pool holds about 7,000 to 8,400 gallons.
On this page (7 sections)
An oval with a 52 in wall holds 7,501 gallons by geometry at 90% fill, and Intex and Bestway rate their 24 × 12 ft × 52 in rectangular frame pools at 8,403 and 7,937 gallons. An inground 12 × 24 at 3.5 to 6 ft deep holds about 10,200 gallons.
Quick answer for a 12x24
The first question is the shape. The data block starts with the oval (round ends) at 48, 52, and 54 in walls; for a 52 in oval of unknown brand, the frame estimate is 6,976 gallons. Below it are the two rectangular frame pools we have manufacturer numbers for. They hold more than the oval because a rectangle has corners and an oval does not.
| Wall height | Geometry (straight sides, round ends) | Frame pool estimate (× 0.93) |
|---|---|---|
| 48 in wall | 6,924 gal26,209 L | 6,439 gal |
| 52 in wall | 7,501 gal28,393 L | 6,976 gal |
| 54 in wall | 7,789 gal29,485 L | 7,244 gal |
Oval above-ground pools are a rectangle with two half-circle ends. A true ellipse holds less.
| Change | Amount |
|---|---|
| +1 ppm FC (12.5% liquid chlorine) | 7.1 fl oz211 mL |
| +10 ppm TA (baking soda) | 15.6 oz443 g |
| +10 ppm CYA (stabilizer) | 9.3 oz264 g |
Closest full chart: 7,000 gal dose chart.
| Model | Capacity | Fill basis | Real ÷ nominal geometry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intex Rectangular Ultra XTR Frame 24ft x 12ft x 52in | 8,403 gal31,809 L | 90% fill | 1.000 | manufacturer |
| Bestway APX 365 24ft x 12ft x 52in | 7,937 gal30,045 L | 90% fill | 0.945 | manufacturer |
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.
Above-ground oval vs inground rectangle
A 12 × 24 ft rectangle has 288 square feet of surface; an oval of the same size has about 257. At the same 52 in wall and 90% fill, that is 8,402 gallons for the rectangle against 7,501 for the oval, a 12% difference from shape alone. Intex's rectangular Ultra XTR 24 × 12 × 52 is rated at 8,403 gallons, a ratio of 1.000 to that geometry; Bestway's APX 365 of the same size is rated at 7,937, a ratio of 0.945. Two pools with the same size on the box are 466 gallons apart, so check which one you own.
| Pool | Depth | Gallons |
|---|---|---|
| Intex Rectangular Ultra XTR Frame | 52 in wall, rated | 8,403 gal |
| Bestway APX 365 rectangle | 52 in wall, rated | 7,937 gal |
| Above-ground oval, round ends | 52 in wall, frame estimate | 6,976 gal |
| True ellipse | 52 in wall, 90% fill | 6,599 gal |
| Inground rectangle, flat | 4 ft | 8,618 gal |
| Inground rectangle, sloped | 3.5 to 6 ft | 10,233 gal |
For an inground 12 × 24, depth decides the volume: each extra half foot of average depth adds about 1,077 gallons, so measure the water at both ends.
Starting doses for this volume
| Change | Oval, 52 in (6,976 gal) | Intex rectangle (8,403 gal) | Inground, 3.5 to 6 ft (10,233 gal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| +1 ppm free chlorine (FC), 12.5% liquid chlorine | 7.1 fl oz | 8.6 fl oz | 10 fl oz |
| +1 ppm FC, 6% household bleach | 14 fl oz | 17 fl oz | 21 fl oz |
| +10 ppm total alkalinity (TA), baking soda | 15.6 oz | 1.2 lb | 1.45 lb |
| Stabilizer (CYA), 0 to 30 ppm | 1.75 lb | 2.1 lb | 2.55 lb |
Always follow the product label. It is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.
Full dose sheets: 8,000 gallons (closest for the rectangular frame pools) and the 7,000 gallon chart (for the oval).
Calculator: your exact depth
The calculator here is set up for ovals. For a rectangular frame pool, use the rated capacity above, or the pool volume calculator with the Rectangle shape and your wall height.
Fill time and water cost
For the 8,403-gallon Intex rectangle: about 28 hours at 5 gallons per minute, 14 hours at 10. The oval (about 7,000 gallons) takes about 23 or 12 hours. For every $1 per 1,000 gallons on your water bill, the fill costs about $8.40 for the rectangle and $6.98 for the oval. Follow your manual's setup and fill steps before you turn on the water.
Safety. Add chlorine and pH chemicals separately with the pump on, at least 30 minutes apart, and never mix them in a bucket. Keep children away while dosing. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.
FAQ
How many gallons in a 24x12 oval pool?
About 6,924 gallons with a 48 in wall, 7,501 with 52 in, and 7,789 with 54 in, by geometry at 90% fill; frame pools usually hold about 7% less (6,439, 6,976, and 7,244). A 24 × 12 rectangular frame pool holds more: 7,937 to 8,403 gallons as rated.
How much chlorine for a 12x24 pool?
Per 1 ppm: about 7.1 fl oz of 12.5% liquid chlorine for a 52 in oval, 8.6 fl oz for the Intex rectangle, and 10 fl oz for an inground pool at 3.5 to 6 ft.
Sources
- Intex Rectangular Ultra XTR Frame 24 ft × 12 ft × 52 in, read 2026-09-29: intexcorp.com
- Bestway APX 365 24 ft × 12 ft × 52 in, read 2026-09-29: bestwayusa.com
- Oval and rectangle formulas, and dose math: methodology