16 x 36 ft rectangular pool
pool plan
An estate-class pool: resort presence at home, with room for swimming, play and lounging at the same time. At this size the supporting decisions matter as much as the basin — plan generous decks, a solid heat source and an automatic cover from day one, because every square metre of water is heated, treated and covered.
The rectangle is the default for a reason: it gives you the most swimmable water for a given footprint, plays well with modern architecture and lap swimming, and makes covers, solar blankets and automatic cleaners simple. Straight walls also keep formwork and tiling straightforward, which builders appreciate.
Open in the 3D designerFree · no signup · runs in your browser
16 × 36 ft — shown to scale
The numbers, computed
- Water surface
- 576 sq ft
- Water volume
- 20,739 gal (86.5 tons)
- Perimeter
- 104′
- Depth
- 3′ 11″–6′ 7″
- Excavation approx.
- 169 cu yd
- Fill time (garden tap)
- 2 days
- Skimmers needed
- 3×
- Heat pump size
- 96,000 BTU/h
Figures are computed from the sampled pool outline and the plan's depths — the same geometry the 3D designer uses. Excavation includes shell and working allowance; your site conditions may differ.
Also in metric sizes: 11 × 5 m
What it costs to build
A rough installed-cost range per construction type, at this size — the pool itself, with basic coping. Not a quote.
| Construction | Installed cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl liner | $49,000–$73,000 | Fastest and least expensive; the liner is replaced every 8–12 years. |
| Fiberglass | $65,000–$95,000 | One-piece shell, quick install; limited to sizes and shapes a mould exists for. |
| Concrete (gunite) | $75,000–$122,000 | Built to any shape or size; the slowest build and the most upkeep. |
Rough 2026 estimates for the pool installed with basic coping — excavation, shell and basic equipment. Excludes deck, fencing, landscaping, heating and permits, all of which vary by site and by builder; get real bids before budgeting from these figures.
Questions about this plan
- How much water does the 16 × 36 ft pool hold?
- About 20,739 gal (86.5 tons of water) at 3′ 11″–6′ 7″ depth — computed from the actual pool outline, not a rule of thumb.
- How long does it take to fill?
- Roughly 2 days from a standard garden tap (~6.6 GPM). A water delivery service fills it in a few hours.
- Is this size right for my garden?
- The water surface is 576 sq ft; plan roughly 1.5–2× that footprint including the surrounding deck. Open the plan in the designer and set your own deck margins to see the full footprint.
- Can I change the depth or edge type?
- Yes — open the plan in the designer and adjust depths, edge system (skimmer, deck-level overflow or raised), finishes and accessories freely.
- How much does the 16 × 36 ft rectangular pool cost to build?
- Roughly $49,000 to $122,000 installed at this size, depending on construction type — before deck, fence, landscaping, heating or permits. See the cost table above for the range per type.
Similar pool plans
16 × 32 ft · Rectangular
Family pool17,200 gal · 512 sq ft
16 × 36 ft · Rounded rectangle
Estate pool20,075 gal · 566 sq ft
16 × 36 ft · Roman
Estate pool18,606 gal · 521 sq ft
16 × 36 ft · Grecian
Estate pool19,510 gal · 547 sq ft
16 × 36 ft · Kidney
Estate pool11,738 gal · 327 sq ft
16 × 36 ft · Figure 8
Estate pool9,488 gal · 306 sq ft
Go on — put a pool in your garden.
Open the designer and see it in 3D tonight. Free, no signup.
Start designing — it's freeFree · no signup · runs in your browser