30 Foot Pool Measurements

by Tammy Pitt
(Pelzer, SC, USA)

We are thinking about getting an above ground pool and using the company that my friend just used. When purchasing a 30 ft x 52 inch above ground, do you measure from the inside of pool wall (liner to liner) across in diameter?

When we tried walking it in a straight line from the side of the pool (one end to the other) my husband took 25 steps.... he has a size 12 foot.

Can you please help? Need to know before I purchase b/c I do not want to pay for a 30 ft pool and then get a smaller size not knowing how it is measured. Thank you so much!


Hi Tammy. This page shows how a pool is laid out.

Above Ground Swimming Pool Installation

A pool is usually measured from the inside of the wall to the inside of the wall. This measurement can very by several inches. I do all my pool measuring with a radius. I put a center stake in the ground and hook a tape measure to it.

A 30' pool will have a radius of 15'. This may vary by a couple of inches either way, but not much more.

You just need to go out into the yard and choose a center point. Drive a stake into the ground, a nail into the stake, and hook a tape measure to it. Mark an area with a 15' radius and you have a very realistic idea of how large your pool will be.

When they come to install the pool take a look at the boxes. They should all be labeled 30'. The liner box will be labeled 30' x 52". There should not be any way they could substitute a smaller size pool.