How to Size an Above Ground Pool Filter

Things You’ll Need

• Above Ground Pool Pump and Filter
• Above Ground Pool Filter

Step 1

Firstly, your pump’s HP is a major key to narrowing the field of filters suitable for your pool. If you need help finding or just want to confirm you have the correct sized pump, check this video’s description for a link to our guide called “How to size an Above Ground Pool Pump”
Now we’ll go through each filter type, matching standard pump horsepower with the suggested filter size.

Click here to view above ground pool pumps. 

Step 2

Sand
Round:

• 8’ to 15’ Round: 14-Inch Tank & Up
• 15’ to 24’ Round: 16-Inch Tank & Up
• 24’ to 36’ Round: 18-Inch Tank & Up

• 12’ X 17’ to 12’ X 24’ - 14-Inch Tank & Up
• 12’ X 24’ to 15’ X 27’ - 16-Inch Tank & Up
• 15’ X 27’ to 18’ X 33’ - 18-Inch Tank & Up

Step 3

Cartridge
Round:

• 8’ to 15’ Round:- 50 sq. ft & Up
• 15’ to 24’ Round - 75 sq. ft & Up
• 24’ to 36’ Round - 90 sq. ft & up

• 12’ X 17’ to 12’ X 24’ - 50 sq. ft & Up
• 12’ X 24’ to 15’ X 27’ - 75 sq. ft & Up
• 15’ X 27’ to 18’ X 33’ - 90 sq. ft & Up

Step 4

DE
Round:

• 8’ to 24’ Round - 15 sq ft & Up
• 24’ to 36’ Round - 20 sq ft & Up

• 12’ X 17’ to 15’ X 27’ - 15 sq ft & Up
• 15’ X 27’ to 18’ X 33’ - 20 sq ft & Up

Step 5

Now we have a window of filter sizes we can consider four pool, let’s think about variables that may cause you to upsize your filter. The larger the filter the longer you can go between cleanings. Oversized filters can hold more dirt without sacrificing flowrate or spiking filter pressure.

• If you are the party pool in your neighborhood, that means more swimmers and inevitably more dirt. If you don’t want to spend the day after each part doing pool chores.
• Larger filters also have higher flow rate capacities, this makes for lower back pressure compared to the smaller models. Less backpressure makes for less stress on the pump, filter and plumbing as a whole.