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Pool Cover Size Calculator

Inground or above-ground, then the size. Get the winter cover to buy.

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What kind of pool?

Your cover size appears here.

+5 ft
each way for inground covers
+4 ft
each way for above-ground covers
Round up
to the next size sold

Use a pool cover size calculator to find the right winter cover for your pool. The idea is simple: take your pool's measurements, add a little extra to the length and the width, and then pick the next larger cover that stores actually sell.

  • Inground covers: give yourself 5 ft of extra material in each direction
  • Above-ground covers: give yourself 4 ft of extra material in each direction
  • Buying: pick the next bigger size the store carries

How much extra should you add for each pool type?

When we say "each way," we mean the extra gets added to both measurements, the length and the width. How much you add depends on which kind of pool you own.

  • If your pool sits in the ground, the length and the width each get 5 ft more. So a 16 x 32 ft pool calls for a 21 x 37 ft winter cover.
  • Have an above-ground pool? Add 4 ft. So a 15 ft round pool needs a cover that measures 19 ft around.

Cover sizes for typical pools

Here you can look up cover sizes for pools people commonly own. The inground numbers already have the 5 ft added on, and the above-ground numbers already include the 4 ft.

  • Inground pool, 12 x 24 ft: get a cover of 17 x 29 ft
  • Inground pool, 16 x 32 ft: get a cover of 21 x 37 ft
  • Inground pool, 18 x 36 ft: get a cover of 23 x 41 ft
  • Inground pool, 20 x 40 ft: get a cover of 25 x 45 ft
  • Above-ground pool, 12 ft round: get a cover of 16 ft round
  • Above-ground pool, 15 ft round: get a cover of 19 ft round
  • Above-ground pool, 18 ft round: get a cover of 22 ft round
  • Above-ground pool, 24 ft round: get a cover of 28 ft round

Picking the cover size to buy

The number you get after adding the extra may not line up with any cover the store carries. If that happens, go with the bigger size instead of the smaller one. A cover with a bit of slack still does its job. A cover that falls short doesn't.

How to measure for a pool liner

Measuring for a liner takes more work than measuring for a cover, since a liner has to hug the floor and the walls, not only the top edge. The companies that make liners will want every one of these numbers:

  1. 1. Measure the length along the top of the wall, working from inside the pool.
  2. 2. Do the same for the width, from inside, along the top of the wall.
  3. 3. Measure how deep the shallow end is.
  4. 4. Measure how deep the deep end is.
  5. 5. Measure the depth at the point where the slope breaks, which is where the floor begins to drop toward the deep end.
  6. 6. Write down what shape the corners are.

Put each number on paper the moment you take it. Then the whole set is ready to hand over whenever the manufacturer needs it.