How Long Does It Take to Fill a Pool?
Fill time is pool volume divided by flow rate. A hose's flow depends on water pressure and hose size, so measure it with the bucket test instead of guessing.
Enter volume and either a flow rate or a bucket test.
Bucket test
- Turn the hose fully on.
- Time how many seconds it takes to fill a 5-gallon bucket.
- Flow (gallons per minute) = bucket gallons / seconds × 60. Thirty seconds for 5 gallons is 10 gallons per minute.
Example
A 13,500-gallon pool filled at 10 gallons per minute takes 1,350 minutes, which is 22.5 hours. Two hoses on separate taps can cut that roughly in half if the pressure holds.
Before you fill
- Check whether your water utility has rules or a pool-fill program. Some offer sewer-charge credits. Ask them directly.
- Water delivery trucks are an option for large pools. Get a quote locally.
Volume unknown? Use the pool volume calculator or the above ground gallons chart.
Related tools and guides
Frequently asked questions
How long does 13,500 gallons take at 10 gallons per minute?
One hose at 10 gallons per minute takes 1,350 minutes, which is 22.5 hours.
How do I measure hose flow for a pool fill?
Time a bucket of known size. Gallons per minute equals bucket gallons divided by seconds, times 60. A 5-gallon bucket that fills in 30 seconds is 10 gallons per minute.