Short answer
Check the label on your tank first. As a guide: 12 in about 50 lb, 14 in about 77 lb, 16 in 100 to 120 lb, 19 in about 175 lb, 21 in 200 to 225 lb, 24 in 300 to 325 lb, 30 in 500 to 600 lb and 36 in about 925 lb. Figures marked model-specific come from the filter maker; the rest come from retailer charts and can disagree.
Sand by tank diameter
Use this when you know the diameter but not the model. It is built from the model figures below, so it is a typical range, not a spec.
Typical sand by tank diameter (guidance only)
| Tank diameter | Typical #20 sand | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| 12 in | about 50 lb | One published figure: Intex SX2100. |
| 14 in | about 77 lb | One published figure: Intex SX2800. |
| 16 in | 100 to 120 lb | Hayward S166T 100 lb; Intex 16 in 120 lb. |
| 18 in | 125 to 150 lb | Hayward S180T is listed at 150 lb on one chart and 125 lb on another. |
| 19 in | about 175 lb | Pentair Triton II TR40. |
| 21 in | 200 to 225 lb | Hayward S210T 200 lb; Pentair TR50 225 lb. |
| 23 in | about 250 lb | Hayward S230T. |
| 24 in | 300 to 325 lb | Hayward S244T about 300 lb; Pentair TR60 325 lb. |
| 30 in | 500 to 600 lb | Hayward 30 in listed at 500 lb; Pentair TR100 600 lb. |
| 36 in | about 925 lb | Pentair Triton II TR140. |
Sand by filter model
Sand by filter model
| Filter | Tank | #20 sand | Figure from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intex SX2100 (26645EG) | 12 in | 50 lb | Maker model-specific |
| Intex SX2800 (26647EG) | 14 in | 77 lb | Maker model-specific |
| Intex 16 in Krystal Clear (26651EG) | 16 in | 120 lb | Retailer check label |
| Hayward ProSeries S166T | 16 in | 100 lb | Retailer check label |
| Hayward ProSeries S180T | 18 in | 150 lb | Retailer check label |
| Hayward S200 | not listed | 200 lb | Maker model-specific |
| Hayward ProSeries S210T | 21 in | 200 lb | Retailer check label |
| Hayward ProSeries S230T | 23 in | 250 lb | Retailer check label |
| Hayward ProSeries S244T | 24 in | 300 lb | Retailer check label |
| Pentair Sand Dollar SD40 | not listed | 150 lb | Retailer check label |
| Pentair Triton II TR40 | 19 in | 175 lb | Maker model-specific |
| Pentair Triton II TR50 | 21 in | 225 lb | Maker model-specific |
| Pentair Triton II TR60 | 24 in | 325 lb | Maker model-specific |
| Pentair Triton II TR100 | 30 in | 600 lb | Maker model-specific |
| Pentair Triton II TR140 | 36 in | 925 lb | Maker model-specific |
Notes on the sources:
- Pentair Triton II: from Pentair’s brochure, which also says “use standard #20 silica sand.” The TR50 (21 in) is 225 lb.
- Intex: the 12 and 14 inch figures are from Intex’s own product pages (SX2100, SX2800). The 16 inch figure is from a Leslie’s listing.
- Hayward ProSeries: from a Pool Factory chart and a Pool Factory answer for the S244T. Club Piscine lists the 18 inch model at 125 lb rather than 150, and a 30 inch model at 500 lb. The S200 figure (200 lb) is from Hayward’s own manual.
Bags to buy
| Label figure | 50 lb bags | Zeolite, about | Glass, about |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 lb | 1 | 25 lb | 35 to 40 lb |
| 100 lb | 2 | 50 lb | 70 to 80 lb |
| 150 lb | 3 | 75 lb | 105 to 120 lb |
| 175 lb | 4 | 90 lb | 125 to 140 lb |
| 200 lb | 4 | 100 lb | 140 to 160 lb |
| 250 lb | 5 | 125 lb | 175 to 200 lb |
| 300 lb | 6 | 150 lb | 210 to 240 lb |
| 325 lb | 7 | 165 lb | 230 to 260 lb |
| 600 lb | 12 | 300 lb | 420 to 480 lb |
Glass and zeolite ratios come from sellers and Intex; see filter glass and zeolite. Or let the sand calculator do the math for your model.
Where to find your filter’s figure
- The label on the tank. Usually a sticker on the side with the model number and media amount.
- The owner’s manual. Look for “filter media” or “sand required” in the specs table.
- The maker’s website. Search the model number plus “manual.”
- Measure. No label? Measure the tank diameter across the widest part and use the range above, erring low. Too much sand causes problems; see below.
Why not to over-fill
Hayward’s manual says to use no more than the recommended amount. Leslie’s lists too much sand as a cause of both high filter pressure and sand in the pool. The bed needs room above it to lift and clean during a backwash.
See #20 pool filter sand on Amazon
Questions people ask
How much sand does a 24 inch sand filter need?
About 300 to 325 lb. Pentair lists 325 lb for the 24 inch Triton II TR60; a retailer lists about 300 lb for the Hayward S244T. Check your label for the exact figure.
How much sand does a Hayward S180T take?
One retailer chart lists 150 lb and another lists 125 lb for Hayward’s 18 inch ProSeries filter. Because the sources disagree, read the label on your tank before buying.
How many bags of sand for a pool filter?
Divide the label figure by the bag weight and round up. With 50 lb bags: 100 lb is 2 bags, 150 lb is 3, 200 lb is 4, 300 lb is 6, 325 lb is 7.
Where should the sand level be?
Hayward’s S200 manual says the leveled sand should come to about the center of the tank flange,, and to use no more than the recommended amount.
Does the pool size change how much sand I need?
No. The filter tank decides the amount. Pool size decides which filter you need in the first place.
Sources
- Intex SX2100 Krystal Clear sand filter pump, specifications (maker)
- Intex SX2800 14 in Krystal Clear sand filter pump, specifications (maker)
- Leslie’s, Intex 26651EG Krystal Clear 16 in sand filter pump listing (retailer)
- The Pool Factory, How much sand to use with your sand filter (retailer chart)
- Hayward S200 high-rate sand filter owner’s manual (maker PDF, hosted by The Pool Factory)
- The Pool Factory, How much sand is in the Hayward S244T sand filter? (retailer answer)
- Pentair Triton II fiberglass sand filter brochure (maker PDF, hosted by propools.com)
- Club Piscine, Hayward Pro Series sand filter listing (retailer)
- Leslie’s, How to troubleshoot the most common sand pool filter problems
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Sand amounts and listings change; check your filter’s label or manual before you buy, and follow the maker’s instructions.