Exact Pool Size

by Christy King
(Lancaster, Ca)

What is the measurement for a pool that is 15'x 48"? How wide is it and how tall can you stand up in it?

Hi Christy

I assume you are talking about a 15' X 48" above ground pool. The 15' is the distance across the pool. Most of the time, this measurement is very close to the exact pool size.

The wall height is the 48". They make above ground pools in 42", 48", 52" and 54". A general rule of thumb is to subtract 6" from the given dimension to determine the actual water depth.

With a vinyl lined pool you will normally have a couple of inches of pool base. This can be sand, foam, or any number of other things. They all take up a little space. With a sand base you should have at least two inches, so this will take away from you wall height.

Thru the wall skimmers are precut into the sidewalls of above ground pools. This means the water level will be about four inches down from the top of the wall.

The actual water depth will be the wall height, 48", minus the 4" required for the skimmer and a couple of inches for the base. So a 48" wall will normally have 42" of water in the pool.

Long ago, and yes, I'm dating myself here, 42" and 48" walls were your only choice. The 42" were the cheap pools sold at discount stores so the only real pools were all 48". At that time deep ends were very possible. It is still possible today to get 5-6 foot of depth from a 48" wall. You just need an expandable liner and a hole in the center or you pool.

This is what I mean.

Expandable Liner Installation

This page might help also.

The Right Size Pool

Pool Size

by Ernie

I was offered a round above ground pool for free if I took it down, which I did. The problem is I'm not sure what size it is. It has 13 uprights (supporting legs) is this an 18 foot pool?

I need to buy some things for it and need to know the size.

Thanks, Ernie

Hi Ernie

That is correct, 13 rails, posts, bottom rails and ect. should be an 18' pool. Just to be sure, before you order anything, why don't you lay out the bottom rails. Connect the rails to the footplates and see if you can make an 18' circle. That's really the best way to tell the size of a pool.

How Much Space Needed

by John
(valley center, ca)

I have about 17' by 36' of space for an above ground pool. I want the largest oval pool I can fit in this area. Would you have any recommendations?

Hi John

My choice would be a 16' x 32' Doughboy. It is one of the best pools made and would fit the area just about right. The actual width would be a little over 17', when you include the brace assemblies. If you have a little give that way it would be an excellent choice.

Most all manufactures make a 15' x 30'. That would be an ideal size, as long as it was a profile type pool. A Pool without the extended side braces.

You will always want plenty of leveled area around the pool. So a 30' or a 32' pool is going to fit fine in a 36' area. It's the width you may have to extend a bit.

Used Pool What Size Liner

by Jim clements
(Knoxville Tn. )

I bought a used pool. I did not measure it before I took it down. They said it was a 33 foot pool. When I went to measure the liner to buy a new one it only measured about 29 feet. I might could pull it some tighter and get a little more measurement but it’s not even close to 33 it’s more like it may be a 30 foot. I don’t have the pool assembled yet so can’t measure anything else. Help please.

Hi A used liner will easily shrink by the amount you are suggesting. The best way to tell is to lay out and connect all the bottom rails, make the pool round and then measure. If you find a center point you should have a radius of 16' 6".