1. Home
  2. How To Guides
  3. How To Select an Above Ground Pool Winter Cover

How To Select an Above Ground Pool Winter Cover

WRITTEN BY: 

  3.71 out of 5 stars on 38 ratings
(Click on a star to add your rating)

Getting ready to winterize your swimming begins with purchasing the correct size cover. Here a few tips that will help you choose the correct size.

Please click here to view above ground winter pool covers 



Comments

Email

Print

Steps

Things You'll Need

Tape measure

Note pad and pen

Winter Cover

Step by Step

Top

Step 1

Measure the size of the pool. Make sure to include the top rails in your measurements. Some pools have wider top rails that need to be taken into account. 

If you have a non-standard pool size like a 12'x19' oval, 15'x28' oval, or 25' round, you’ll need a pool cover that is equal to or greater than the length and width (or diameter, for round pools) values of your pool. So, for a 12'x19'  pool, we need a cover made for pools that are at least 12' wide and 19' long. For the round pool example, we'll need a cover meant for a pool greater than 25' in diameter.

Step 2

Let’s head over to the above ground pool winter cover section to find the right cover for our pool. Which cover is the best fit for our 12'x19' pool?

Those of you that said the 12'x24', you are correct. That’s because the width of 12' and length of 24' are equal to or greater than our pool’s dimensions. 

Step 3

In our other pool example, which cover would be best for our 25' round above ground pool?

The correct answer is the 27' round because it is the next larger size with a cover option.

Step 4

Take into consideration how low you will drop the water level. Most pool covers will come with enough material to compensate for a water level that is reduced up to 12". If you need to drain the water level more than that, you will need to purchase a larger cover.

Once you have selected the style of winter cover (solid or mesh, you will want to review the cover size. Two sizes will usually be displayed on the item page, the pool size and cover size. For example, if you have a 12' round pool, the cover size will be 16' round.

Please click here to view pool cover pumps and accessories

Step 5

Once you have received your new winter cover, carefully remove it from the box and measure it to ensure it is the correct size. If it is incorrect, please contact the dealer you purchased the cover for further instruction.

Please click here to view air pillows

Comments

Top
Add a Comment
(1 to 40 of 61)

 Posted: 10/16/2022 

I have a 16'x10'x48" oval above ground pool & live in Illinois. I'm trying to get ready for winter & looking for a pool cover. What size do I need & for winter is there a certain kind to use?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 10/17/2022 

Use the overall length and width of the pool, and find a cover that is equal to or greater than those dimensions. You could use an 18' round or 12'x24' oval cover.
 Reply

 Posted: 8/29/2022 

We have a Coleman above ground pool it 18x48 what size of cover would we need for winter and which one we have tree in are yard . Thank you collean
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/30/2022 

If your pool is an 18' round pool, then you would need a cover designed for a pool that is 18' round. Go to the following link to find your 18' Round Winter Cover
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 8/25/2022 

What size cover for 15 x 20 oval pool
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/30/2022 

The pool would require a cover meant to cover a pool, equal to or greater than the lengths and widths provided. the closest cover size we have to that 15' x 20' is the 15'x26'
 Reply

 Posted: 6/19/2022 

What size pool cover can I use for a 20ft by 12
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/27/2022 

PureLine Pool Winter Cover for 12' x 24' Oval Above Ground Pool - PL7916
 Reply

 Posted: 4/13/2022 

For a 16x10x48 Oval, what size will I need?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 4/14/2022 

As we mentioned in the guide, if the pool size isn't listed on the cover page, you'd choose one that is the next size or one that best covers the dimensions. You have a 16'x10' pool you can use an 18' round winter cover or a 12'x24' oval winter cover.
 Reply

 Posted: 10/14/2021 

I have a 18x44 oval pool. What size winter cover should I buy?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 10/15/2021 

Is this an inground or above ground pool? I am not aware of any above ground pool models or covers that are 44 feet long.
 Reply

 Posted: 10/15/2021 

Above ground pool. My husband measured it and gave me those dimensions
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 10/15/2021 

Unfortunately, we do not have a cover big enough for that. The largest cover we carry fits a 21' x 43' pool.
 Reply

 Posted: 10/12/2021 

Mesh Cover for 13' x 25' Rectangle Pool I have a 13' x 25' x 4' Rectangle Above-Ground Pool Seems like I can find a regular rectangle pool cover for In-Ground pools like 12' x 24' However, those are designed to use water bags to secure the cover Don't know if it would work for an above-ground pool? Could I use a 12' x 24' or 15' x 26' oval cover? I'd think that the cable cinch would be a better way to secure the cover? I had one before, that was an oversized rectangle. That one eventually wore out, but forgot where I bought it? Thanks
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 10/14/2021 

Inground pool winter covers do have grommets through which you can lace a winch cable. You would have to purchase the winch and cable separately. I have never compared the sturdiness of the i/g and a/g cover grommets to one another, so I don't know how they would hold up to a whole winter under stress. If I were in your situation, I would get an oversized above-ground pool cover. The cover would need to be big enough for the rectangle pool to sit between the curved ends. Obviously, 12 by 24 would not be an option because it is already meant for a pool smaller than what you have, we cover that in the guide. I'd look at ones with at least an 18-foot width.
 Reply

 Posted: 10/11/2021 

Can a cover be too big? I have a 15x30 oval above ground but can only find covers for 18x38 this late in the season.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 10/11/2021 

The main concern is not to pick a cover that is too small for the pool. If the cover is more oversized, then you can just cinch the extra material.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/27/2021 

I have a 12' X 19' oval above ground pool, what size pool cover should I buy?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/28/2021 

If you have a 12' x 19' pool, you need a cover that is made for pools at least 12' wide and 19' long. That is not a common size, so you would have to go up to the next biggest size. The closest cover we have in stock in those parameters is the Pool Winter Cover for 12' x 24' Oval Above Ground Pool - PL7916
 Reply

 Posted: 9/22/2021 

I have a round above ground 15 foot by 48 inches tall pool, what size cover would I need please?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/22/2021 

If you have a 15' round pool, then you would purchase a pool cover meant for a 15' round pool. The covers are titled according to the pool size they are used for. The 15' round is a common size; take a look at our pool winter cover section.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/16/2021 

I have a rectangle pool without steps that measures 13 wide and 38 long. I am needing it anchored to my concrete. What size pool cover should I get? Also, do you recommend mesh or regular?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/16/2021 

Is this an inground or above-ground pool? It sounds like you are describing an inground pool safety cover and not a basic winter cover.
 Reply

 Posted: 7/28/2021 

I have 27’ round above ground what size cover should I buy.and what size pillows.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/29/2021 

You have a 27' round pool; you purchase a cover titled "For 27' Round Pool" if you go to our winter cover section. If you do not see one that is your size, go to the next biggest one; so in this case, it would be a 28' is usually the next biggest size.As for the pillow, the 4'x8' Air Pillow - PL0195 would be the best choice, but the larger 8'x15' Air Pillow - PL0196 would work as well.
 Reply

 Posted: 7/27/2021 

what size pool cover should I get for a 20 Foot round above ground pool 54" deep
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/27/2021 

You would pick a pool cover meant for a 20-foot round pool or the next largest size. A suitable cover would be the Pool Winter Cover for 21 ft Above Ground Pool.
 Reply

 Posted: 7/22/2021 

I have a 10x16 oval pool. I always get the 10x16 cover but it always pulls and never has enough cover to lay flat on the water. Then when you put the pool pillow (ice compensator) it even makes it less. I’m not really sure what size cover to get. The 10x16 is not sufficient even though they say the cover is about 14 x 19. Never have enough slack. Can you recommend what cover size to get. My pool is also semi in the ground. Thank you.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/19/2021 

Hey Jay. I am having the same problem! Did you ever come up with a solution on what size cover to go with??
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/3/2021 

How much slack do you think you need to have the cover lay flat. Do you need two or three extra feet or more? That would determine how much larger of a cover you need.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/21/2021 

What size cover do I need for 18x48 pool and I drain it halfway
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/21/2021 

You would probably want to go a size up, to a cover meant for a 20 or 21 foot round pool.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/5/2021 

I have a 10x 30 pool, what are the size specifications needed?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/13/2021 

Ideally, you would want a cover that is wide enough to cover the 10-foot width and long enough to cover the 30-foot length with enough overhand to accommodate water bags to secure it. So a 15' X 35' cover size would suffice.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/21/2020 

What kind of cover do I need for the summer. First time with permanent pool. Owner
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/2/2020 

A cover really isn't necessary for in-season use, but if you want to keep the pool at a omfortable temp, a solar cover is the way to go.
 Reply

 Posted: 12/24/2019 

My pool size is 16 and a half feet wide by 27 and a half feet long what size pool cover should I get?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 12/26/2019 

As we have said in previous comments, you can use a cover that is equal to or larger than the width and lengths you listed. For example, you can use an 18 X 28 pool cover, but you could not use a 17 X 25.
 Reply

 Posted: 11/24/2019 

I'm very late closing my pool...I have a rectangular inground pool that measures 17' 1/2 wide 38' long...can you advise what size pool cover I would need.
 Reply