Pool Pump Runtime Calculator — Flow, Hours & Cost
Plan daily pool-pump hours, circulated volume and energy from your actual flow and watts, with an optional second setting for a cleaner or other task.
Measured flow · daily circulation
Run the main setting for about 8.3 hours
For 15,000 US gal, 30 GPM circulates one pool-volume equivalent in 8.3 hours. That is a volume through the system, not a guarantee that every gallon was filtered.
Plan your settings ↓Pool and daily target
Enter water currently in the pool. Choose a circulation volume target for this comparison; follow your equipment and local water-quality guidance.
Main circulation setting
Use the actual flow through your plumbing at this setting, from a flow meter or your pump curve at operating head. Watts are electrical input, not motor horsepower.
Higher-flow task · optional
If a cleaner or other device needs a different setting for a set time, enter its own flow and draw. We count that volume first, then fill the remaining target at the main setting.
8.3 h at main setting · 15.7 h off
1.00 pool-volume equivalent through the system.
300 W × 8.3 h, excluding other pool equipment.
This is circulated volume, not a count of distinct gallons filtered or proof of safe water. Check minimum flow and runtime for your filter, heater, salt generator and cleaner. Actual GPM changes with plumbing resistance and filter condition; don't use a pump's unrestricted maximum-flow label.
Show the circulation and energy math
Gallons circulated = actual GPM × 60 × hours. The task setting's chosen hours and volume come first. Remaining target gallons ÷ (main GPM × 60) gives main-setting hours. If those hours plus the task period exceed 24, the plan cannot fit in a day at the supplied flows. Electricity = each setting's input watts × its hours ÷ 1,000. Dollar cost uses only your entered $/kWh.
A “pool-volume equivalent” is an amount pumped through the circulation system. Mixing, bypass, filter performance and water chemistry mean that one equivalent does not represent every distinct gallon being filtered.
Sources: U.S. DOE pool-pump field guide · ENERGY STAR pool pumps. Use your measured operating point and equipment instructions.
