How Many Gallons in a 14 ft Round Pool?
A 14 ft round pool with a 42 in wall holds about 3,400 gallons, and with a 48 in wall about 3,900. Intex rates its 14 × 42 Prism Frame at 3,357 gallons and Bestway rates its 14 × 42 Steel Pro MAX at 3,440 gallons, both at 90% fill.
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.
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The wall height changes the answer more than the brand does. The step from 42 in to 48 in adds about 480 gallons, which is more than the gap between any two brands at the same height.
Quick answer: 14 ft round pool gallons by wall height
Find your wall height in the data block below: 42, 48 and 52 in are the common ones. Each row has the geometry for a full fill and the frame-pool estimate, in gallons and liters. The block also lists the factory capacity of real 14 ft models and the starting doses for this volume.
| Wall height | Geometry | Frame pool estimate (× 0.93) | Inflatable estimate (× 0.87) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42 in wall | 3,627 gal13,731 L | 3,373 gal | 3,156 gal |
| 48 in wall | 4,146 gal15,693 L | 3,855 gal | 3,607 gal |
| 52 in wall | 4,491 gal17,000 L | 4,177 gal | 3,907 gal |
| 54 in wall | 4,664 gal17,654 L | 4,337 gal | 4,057 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 Ultra XTR Frame 14ft x 48in | 3,861 gal14,615 L | not stated | 0.931 | manufacturer |
| Change | Amount |
|---|---|
| +1 ppm FC (12.5% liquid chlorine) | 3.9 fl oz117 mL |
| +10 ppm TA (baking soda) | 8.6 oz245 g |
| +10 ppm CYA (stabilizer) | 5.1 oz146 g |
Closest full chart: 4,000 gal dose chart.
Real 14 ft models: Intex and Bestway side by side
| Model | Wall | Factory capacity | Fill line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intex Prism Frame | 42 in | 3,357 gallons | 90% |
| Bestway Steel Pro MAX Splashview | 42 in | 3,440 gallons | 90% |
| Intex Ultra XTR Frame | 48 in | 3,861 gallons | not stated |
| Bestway Steel Pro MAX | 48 in | we could not confirm | — |
Both 42 in pools are rated at the same 90% fill line, yet they differ by 83 gallons, about 2.5%. That is not a design flaw. It comes from small differences in liner shape and in where each maker draws the water line. For a chlorine dose, 2.5% is less than one test-kit step.
The Intex Ultra XTR 48 in is the only 48 in model we could confirm on a maker's page. Intex does not state its fill line on that page, so use 3,861 as listed and do not scale it. Bestway also sells a Steel Pro MAX 14 × 48 in. We did not find a capacity for it on Bestway's page, so we did not use one.
42 in or 48 in: which one do you have?
People often type "14x42" into search when their pool is 48 in, or the reverse. Check three places before you trust a number:
- The box or manual. The wall height is part of the model name.
- The wall. Measure from the floor to the top of the liner wall with a tape. Frame pools are close to their nominal height, but a liner that has stretched or been replaced may differ.
- The water line. Measure the water depth, not the wall. If you keep the pool at 36 in of water in a 42 in wall, use the calculator below with a lower fill level.
Calculator: your exact depth
The calculator starts at 14 ft. Enter your wall height and the fill level you actually keep.
Starting doses for this volume
The data block gives doses for the geometry it shows. For fast reference, a 14 × 42 pool is close to the 3,000 gallon dose sheet (3,357 to 3,440 gallons), and a 14 × 48 pool is closer to the 4,000 gallon dose sheet (3,861 gallons). Each sheet lists doses for several chlorine forms, with strength. A 3,357 gallon pool needs about 12% more than the 3,000 sheet shows, so scale up before you pour. Always follow the product label.
Wall height matters here. A dose worked out for a 42 in pool (about 3,400 gallons) raises a 48 in pool (about 3,900 gallons) by roughly 12% less than you expect. If you copy a dose from a neighbor's pool, check their wall height first.
Filling and running costs for a 14 ft pool
Use the pool fill cost calculator with your water price to see what a fill costs, and the pump run time calculator to size your daily filter hours. Pool sets in this size usually ship with a cartridge pump. Follow your manual for how long to run it and when to replace the cartridge.
When you outgrow 14 ft, the next sizes up are the 15 ft round pool and the 16 ft round pool. For a bigger picture of every size, see the pool gallons chart.
Safety. Add liquid chlorine in front of a return jet with the pump on, and add acid at a different time. Measure in clean, dry, labeled containers. Never mix chlorine with acid or with another chlorine product. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222. Always follow the product label. It is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.
FAQ
How many gallons is a 14 ft round 42 in pool?
About 3,400 gallons. Intex rates its Prism Frame 14 × 42 at 3,357 gallons and Bestway rates its Steel Pro MAX 14 × 42 at 3,440 gallons, both at 90% fill.
How many gallons is a 14 x 48 pool?
About 3,900 gallons. Intex's Ultra XTR Frame 14 × 48 lists 3,861 gallons.
How much chlorine for a 14 ft pool?
It depends on the product and its strength. Start from the 3,000 or 4,000 gallon dose sheet, scale to your volume, and test. Follow the product label.
Is a 14 ft pool the same as a 15 ft pool?
No. A 15 ft pool is wider and holds more water at the same wall height. Check the model name before you use a chart.
Sources
- Intex Prism Frame 14 ft × 42 in (3,357 gallons at 90%), read 2026-10-06 via search result: intexcorp.com
- Bestway Steel Pro MAX Splashview 14 ft × 42 in (3,440 gallons at 90%), read 2026-10-06 via search result: bestwayusa.com
- Intex Ultra XTR Frame 14 ft × 48 in (3,861 gallons), read 2026-09-29: intexcorp.com
- Volume formulas, correction factors, and dose math: methodology