How much liquid chlorine per ppm
fl oz = ppm × factor × gallons ÷ 10,000
The factor is 10.7 fl oz for 12.5 % liquid chlorine, 13.4 for 10 % and 22.3 for 6 % bleach, per 1 ppm in 10,000 gallons. For a 10,000-gallon pool a 3 ppm boost takes 32 fl oz of 12.5 %, 40 fl oz of 10 % or 67 fl oz (just over half a gallon) of 6 % bleach. A 128 fl oz jug is one gallon.
Why liquid chlorine
It is sodium hypochlorite in water: no stabilizer, no calcium and no residue, which is why it is the main chlorine for salt pools and for pools where CYA is already high. It costs more per ppm than granular products for small pools but is cheaper in bulk. Add it with the pump running, in front of a return, ideally at dusk because sunlight burns chlorine off. Retest after an hour.
For other products (cal-hypo, dichlor, trichlor) use the pool chlorine calculator; to treat a green or cloudy pool, the pool shock calculator works out the level you need first.
Dose factors per 10,000 gallons: Trouble Free Pool, Pool School "Pool Math" and product labels (12.5 % = 10.7 fl oz, 10 % = 13.4, 6 % = 22.3). Read October 18, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much liquid chlorine for a 2,000 gallon pool?
To raise free chlorine by 1 ppm: 2.1 fl oz of 12.5 % liquid chlorine. For 3 ppm 6.4 fl oz and for 5 ppm 10.7 fl oz. Bleach at 6 % needs about twice as much: 4.5 fl oz per ppm.
How much liquid chlorine to add to a 10,000 gallon pool?
About 10.7 fl oz of 12.5 % liquid chlorine raises free chlorine by 1 ppm. A 5 ppm boost takes 53.5 fl oz, just under half a gallon. With 10 % bleach use 13.4 fl oz per ppm and with 6 % bleach 22.3 fl oz.
Is liquid chlorine the same as bleach?
Both are sodium hypochlorite. Pool liquid chlorine is 10 to 12.5 %; household bleach is 6 to 8.25 %. Use plain, unscented bleach, check the percentage on the label and pick it in the calculator, since the dose scales with strength.
Does liquid chlorine raise pH or stabilizer?
It adds no stabilizer (CYA) and no calcium, which is why many owners prefer it. Its own pH is high, so pool pH tends to drift up over the following days and needs a little acid now and then.
How long does liquid chlorine take to work, and how do I store it?
It mixes in within minutes with the pump running; retest after an hour. Liquid chlorine loses strength with heat, light and time, so buy it fresh, store it cool and dark and use the strength printed on the label.