What are pool chlorine product equivalents?
The product equivalents table converts one chlorine product to another. Pool chlorine comes in 7 common forms at 7 different active strengths. Pool chlorine products are interchangeable if you adjust the dose. Pool chlorine product equivalents let you swap based on price, calcium impact, and CYA impact.
According to research from the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, the 4 liquid chlorine strengths (6%, 8.25%, 10%, 12.5%) account for 71% of residential chlorine use. The 2 cal-hypo strengths (65%, 73%) account for another 22%. Dichlor (56%) and trichlor (90%) split the remaining 7%.
How much of each product raises 1 ppm in 10,000 gallons?
The table is the canonical reference for pool chlorine math. The dose is reported per 10,000 gallons per 1 ppm free chlorine raise. The numbers are derived from the percent active chlorine in each product. The math is linear.
| Product | Active % | Dose per 1 ppm / 10,000 gal | Adds CYA? | Adds Calcium? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid chlorine 12.5% | 12.5% | 10.8 fl oz | No | No |
| Liquid chlorine 10% | 10% | 13.5 fl oz | No | No |
| Bleach 8.25% | 8.25% | 16.3 fl oz | No | No |
| Bleach 6% | 6% | 22.5 fl oz | No | No |
| Cal-hypo 65% | 65% | 2.0 oz | No | +0.8 ppm |
| Cal-hypo 73% | 73% | 1.8 oz | No | +0.7 ppm |
| Dichlor 56% | 56% | 2.4 oz | +0.9 ppm | No |
| Trichlor 90% | 90% | 1.5 oz | +0.6 ppm | No |
Which product is right for my situation?
- Daily top-up, no CYA needed: liquid chlorine or bleach.
- Need to raise calcium too: cal-hypo shock.
- Need to raise CYA too: dichlor shock for a few weeks only.
- Floater or feeder routine: trichlor tablets until CYA reaches 50 ppm.
- Salt pool with low calcium: cal-hypo for occasional top-ups.
Why does the same chlorine product have different prices?
The price difference reflects strength and shipping costs. Liquid chlorine is heavy and ships poorly. Cal-hypo ships dry and stores well. Trichlor tablets ship dry but cost more per ppm of active chlorine because of the cyanuric acid carrier. Research from the National Swimming Pool Foundation shows that cost per ppm delivered ranges from $0.04 (liquid 12.5% in bulk) to $0.18 (trichlor tablets in 3-inch single tubs). Use the pool chlorine calculator to compare dose math, then multiply by your local product price.
Is bleach interchangeable with pool-grade chlorine?
Yes. Both are sodium hypochlorite. Pool-grade liquid chlorine is 10–12.5% strength. Household bleach is 6% or 8.25%. The math scales linearly; you just need 1.5–2× the volume of bleach to match pool-grade.