Veronica - Author
Welcome to our guide to standard swimming pool sizes, including dimensions for inground, above ground, lap, plunge, endless and l-shaped pool designs
However, there are a lot of considerations that you need to make before committing to a home renovation or purchasing a pool.
One of the most basic things to consider is how much space you have for a pool. This will help you decide not only if you can have a pool on your property but the type of pool that would best fit your size requirements and what you want out of your pool.
Standard Swimming Pool Size
When it comes to the average swimming pool size, there are a lot of factors to consider. This includes concepts such as what type of pool you’re having installed, the material the pool is made of, and the shape of the pool.
Generally, the size of a swimming pool is represented by two dimensions – length and width. The numbers are determined by a 2-to-1 ratio comparative to the size of the average backyard that pools are installed in.
Given these factors, the average rectangle shaped swimming pool sizes fall to about three main measurements:
- 16 feet by 32 feet (Small)
- 15 feet by 36 feet (Medium)
- 20 feet by 40 feet (Large)
With these programs you can input your exact backyard measurements and create and visualize your pool and add features such as decks and patios.
Inground Pool Dimensions
For vinyl pools, there are three primary sizes that people consider are usually 16 feet by 32 feet, 18 feet by 36 feet, and 20 feet by 40 feet. Out of these rectangular shapes, 16 feet by 32 feet is the most common choice.
Concrete pools, on the other hand, often have a kidney shape rather than an oval shape. The most popular size for these pools is 16 feet by 32 feet.
Finally, there are fiberglass pools that usually have a more freeform shape. These pools are often sized close to 12 feet by 24 feet.
Above Ground Swimming Pool Sizes
Above ground swimming pools have the advantage of an easier installation because they don’t require any digging into your yard. This also makes them easier to remove if you want the pool removed years after the installation.
Above ground swimming pools typically come in about three sizes. This includes the smallest side of the average at a round, above ground pool of 21 feet by 52 feet.
For a large above ground pool, an oval with measurements of 15 feet by 30 feet by 52 inches high is also common. The most popular size, though, is a round shape with dimensions of 24 feet by 52 feet. This popular size costs an average of $1,000.
Lap Pool Dimensions
As the name suggests, a lap pool is built so that the user or users can comfortably swim laps in it. However, it isn’t quite wide enough to allow for the same room for “swimming around” as a round family pool. So, the shape of lap pools is generally long and narrow to account for this.
Custom lap pools range in size, with a standard size being 45 feet in length to 75 feet. They generally have a width of 6 to 10 feet and a depth of at least 3 1/2 feet to prevent swimmers from bumping their heads or scraping arms and legs while swimming laps.
A professional lap pool is much bigger than the average lap pool that would fit in a residential area. Professional lap pools have a length of about 82 feet or 25 meters. Away from the gym, though, 40-foot long pools are considered lap pools as well.
Plunge Pool Dimensions
A plunge pool is typically made to be deep but it isn’t necessarily committed to a lot of other requirements. Instead, they’re often defined by their use.
Plunge pools are either used at the base of a flow of water or, more professionally, meant to be kept cold to follow the use of a sauna or hot tub. Either way, they should be deep enough to submerge the whole body in.
The average size of a plunge pool is about seven feet by 12 feet. As for depth, the most common choice for a plunge pool is a range of 54 to 60 inches deep.
Olympic Pool Dimensions
Olympic swimming pools are a little stricter in their dimensions. This is because they’re made to fit the requirements to host international competitions.
In other words, these pools are going to fit the size that you’d see when you watch the Olympic Games. This also means they’re mostly considered a commercial investment – most families don’t need this much space, have the budget, or want the high maintenance required.
An Olympic-sized swimming pool must be at least 50 meters long and a width of 10 lanes. In addition, they’re usually at least two meters deep and hold at least 500,000 gallons of water although they can hold up to an average of 660,000 gallons as well.
Endless Pool Dimensions
Endless pools are an interesting invention that goes above and beyond the average backyard pool. These pools are made primarily for exercise and actually have a current powered by special equipment
The user is meant to swim against the current, usually to stay in place, giving the pool an illusion of endlessness.
Despite the name, endless pools use this illusion to save space. Thus, you don’t need to worry about massive dimensions to include an endless pool on your own property.
The average dimensions for an endless pool are about 7 feet by 14 feet, with smaller and larger models and different options available.
L-Shaped Pool Dimensions
This shape often allows for the owner to make a clear distinction between the deepest and most shallow ends of the pool rather than a subtle downward slope.
The dimensions of this pool are measured a little differently than two clear dimensions like other pools.
The longest side of the pool often measures between 38 feet and 44 feet, the shortest side usually measures between 16 feet and 20 feet. Finally, the side that makes up the base of the “L” is usually between 24 and 26 feet.
Small Pool Dimensions
Generally speaking, the average small pool is considered a pool that totals 600 square feet or less. This leaves room for you to tailor that space to the type of pool you want.
What Is a Good Size Swimming Pool?
The most common choice for swimming pool sizes is a pool that’s 18 feet by 36 feet. This will give you enough room to swim around and play games without even up to eight people in it crowded too closely together. This is often recommended for rectangular pools.
You can see our gallery of swimming pool shapes for more ideas here.
What Is a Good Swimming Pool Depth?
The depth of a swimming pool is less limited than size. After all, depth doesn’t have the same constraints as width and length, like the size of the property the pool is installed on.
Yet, there are still some standard, go-to depths for pools. The average pool for a family is sloped, giving it a depth of three feet in the shallow end of the pool and six feet deep at the deepest point.
On the other hand, if the pool is mainly used for swimming laps or exercise, you can install it with a uniform depth of around four to five feet.
If you’re considering a pool you can get free estimates and prices from a local pool company. They can help you narrow down a pool type that is best for your lifestyle and give you more insight into models, potential maintenance costs, warranty period and answer questions you have.
I have been looking for the type of swimming pool on various websites but could not be satisfied until I reached on your website.
I am looking for a professional kind to provide in backyard of my restaurant. One for families with kids and children and another for adult males including teenagers. Please assist in selecting one.
“For a large above ground pool, an oval with measurements of 15 feet by 30 feet by 52 feet is also common.”
It took me a several minutes to realize, do you mean 15 feet by 30 feet by 52 inches? (a 4 foot high pool)? If you had a typo, it might be throughout this article. If not, I’m confused by the dimensions.
Good catch, we’ve changed that to specify inches.