How much water does an Olympic-sized swimming pool hold?

Pondering whether to have a swimming pool installed at home? Attracted by the idea of being able to savour the style and luxury of having a pool without having to travel, but want to know more about the options available? The experts at Portrait Pools, informed by experience gained from a long list of projects for happy customers, can help. If you’re planning to build a pool, whether it’s an Olympic-sized one or smaller, you might need planning permission

One of the most important decisions relates to dimensions; what size pool would you like?

What is considered a big pool?

Labelling a swimming pool as ‘big’ largely comes down to personal preference and previous experiences because we’ll all probably offer a different answer. However, a swimming pool is generally considered ‘big’ based on its dimensions and surface area. Most people consider a pool with a surface area of around 40m², and more than 10m in length, to be a large pool. However, given there are so many different types of swimming pools, our image of what a ‘big’ pool looks like does vary. For example, a typical in-ground pool’s dimensions range from 10ft by 20ft to 20ft by 40ft. Lap pools can be as small as 6ft by 30ft or as large as 10ft by 50ft, while diving pools have dimensions that range from 35ft by 16ft to 38ft by 18ft.

Of course, the appropriate size for your pool depends on what you plan to use it for, your personal preferences, your budget, and the available space at your property for an installation. With that in mind, it’s always best to consult with a professional in the field of swimming pool installations to determine the right dimensions for your project.

How many litres is the average size swimming pool?

If you’re wondering ‘how many litres are in a swimming pool’, the answer is; it depends. The volume of a swimming pool fluctuates according to its size and depth. A standard-sized swimming pool that has dimensions of 12m by 6m, can accommodate around 108,000 litres if it has a depth of 1.5m. It’s worth keeping in mind that this figure changes according to the exact dimensions and shape of your pool. However, the best way to determine how many litres can be held by a swimming pool is to use a formula where you measure the length, width and depth of a pool to calculate the volume of water it can hold. The dimensions must be measured in the same unit, and remember too that one cubic metre equates to 1,000 litres. For example, a swimming pool like the one above that measures 12m by 6m by 1.5m will be able to hold 108,000 litres of water (that is, 12x6x1.5).

How many litres is an Olympic-size pool?

Believe it or not, ‘how many litres is in an Olympic swimming pool?’ is a popular search query. An Olympic-size swimming pool, used for international competitions, is mandated to have specific dimensions. These types of pools measure 50m in length, are 25m wide, and have a minimum depth of two metres. Using those figures, the volume of an Olympic-size pool would be 2,500 cubic metres (or 2.5 million litres). The amount of water held by an Olympic-size swimming pool is significantly more than a typical swimming pool because they’re usually built for competitions and leisure use by members of the public.

How long does it take to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool?

The time it takes to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool varies greatly depending on the rate of water flow. For example, if a swimming pool is filled with a fast hose, it could pour in 85,000 litres of water per minute and would take slightly less than 30 hours to fill completely. Alternatively, if you’re using a normal water tap, it would fill at a rate of around five litres per minute. Therefore, the process of completely filling the swimming pool would be significantly longer. In this context, it would take around 500,000 minutes to fill, which equates to around 347 days! Of course, nobody would opt for this method as it’s totally impractical! It’s worth noting that a swimming pool shouldn’t be filled too quickly to avoid inflicting damage to its structure, and to allow for proper water circulation.

Is a round or rectangle pool better?

Choosing between a round or rectangular swimming pool largely depends on several factors, including your personal taste, the available space, and the project’s budget. For example, if the primary purpose of your pool is for exercise, it’s probably better to choose a rectangular design which permits you to swim lengths. However, if the point of your pool installation is to make the most of relaxation time and to unwind, then a circular shape might be a better choice. This type of solution is usually smaller, and so may be a better compromise if space is limited.

Swimming pool design and installation with Portrait Pools

If you’re unsure about the appropriate dimensions for the pool at the heart of your project, then we can help. Portrait Pools has become the preferred choice for a growing list of customers across the UK when it comes to the design and installation of best-in-class swimming pool solutions. Whether you’re contemplating an in-ground pool or an above-ground installation, our team can guide you from an initial idea through to final build. We’re proud to have nurtured a reputation for excellence, as proven by a vast portfolio of award-winning pools, spas and water features at residential and commercial locations across the UK. Don’t delay, start a conversation with us today by dialling 01625 466200 or send an email to newwebenquiries@portraitpools.com james@portraitpools.com.

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