Alkalinity Calculator
Calculate how much baking soda or acid to adjust your pool total alkalinity (TA).
For educational purposes only. Always test your water and consult product labels before adding chemicals. See our Terms of Service.
My Pool Settings
Climate & Cover
Typical Chemistry
Pre-fill calculators with your usual levels (optional)
30-50 chlorine, 70-80 SWG
60-80 recommended
250-350 recommended
Equipment
Select your equipment to personalize checklists
ALKALINITY CALC
Total Alkalinity Adjustment
Recommended: 80-120 ppm for regular pools
Tip: Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) raises both TA and pH slightly.
Add with pump running, broadcast over surface. Wait 30 min and retest.
Don't add more than 2 lbs per 10,000 gallons at once.
What is Total Alkalinity?
Total Alkalinity (TA) acts as a buffer for pH. It helps prevent pH from swinging wildly. Think of TA as the "anchor" that keeps your pH stable.
Target TA Levels
| Pool Type | Target TA |
|---|---|
| Regular Chlorine Pool | 80-120 ppm |
| Salt Water Generator (SWG) | 60-80 ppm |
| Plaster/Gunite (new) | 80-100 ppm |
TA Too Low?
- pH bounces up and down (hard to control)
- Water becomes corrosive
- Metal staining more likely
TA Too High?
- pH keeps rising (hard to lower)
- Cloudy water more likely
- Scale formation on surfaces and equipment