tapWater softener load & salt planner
Turn tested hardness, household use and a vendor’s usable capacity into a transparent regeneration budget.
Planning math only. Use laboratory hardness in grains per gallon and the usable capacity at the exact salt dose—not the softener’s nominal headline capacity. Iron, manganese and unusual water chemistry require professional adjustment.
Planning result
6.7 days
Estimated daily water: 240 gallons. Daily hardness load: 3,600 grains.
About 4.57 regenerations per 30.44-day month and 36.5 lb of salt per month from these inputs.
How the calculation works
Daily gallons = people × gallons per person. Daily hardness load = daily gallons × tested hardness. Estimated days between regenerations = usable capacity ÷ daily hardness load. Monthly salt = regenerations per 30.4375-day month × salt per regeneration.
This intentionally does not add an iron correction, reserve, variable efficiency or safety factor. Ask the supplier to document those adjustments and the programmed capacity for the exact resin and valve.
See how to evaluate a softener-and-filter package →Keep the details together.
Use the matching editable pack to collect the information your next decision needs.
Calculation and editorial checks: September 28, 2026. These tools organize inputs; they do not inspect your home or certify a product. Our editorial approach.