It can be tricky to know which pool to choose – much of your decision will depend on its dimensions, layout, and size, plus the space you have to work with and, of course, your personal preferences. But, if you follow our simple guide, it’ll be much easier than you think.

Choosing the right pool for your home comes down to deciding on four major things:

• The best size for your backyard and budget
• The right shape for your yard
• Your preferred color
• The best installer

Remember, figuring these things out can be a fun journey, and we’re here to help you along the way. This handy guide will walk you through figuring out the shape and size options. If you’d like to jump ahead, though, go ahead and browse the sizes and pricing for our range.

Common layout and size for the 3 most common pool types

When considering the layout and size of your pool, always ask yourself two things: how will you best fit a pool within your yard, and what is the best use of your space?

For example, if you love to swim laps, consider a long, thin lap pool. A plunge pool, on the other hand, comes in more shapes than other types because they’re quite a bit smaller. A standard rectangular pool will maximize or make the best use of your space. Keep reading to learn more about each type and typical sizes.

Layout or shape

While pool sizes and shapes vary along with budget considerations, a typical home will generally have a pool that falls into one of three categories:

Size

When it comes to pool size, the best part is that there are so many options to choose from. Of course, this will depend on your budget, location and general preferences and needs. To get you started, here are the standard advisable sizes to consider in Australia:

• 6×3 in an area of 18 m²
• 7×3 in an area of 21 m²
• 8×4 in an area of 32 m²
• 9×4 in an area of 36 m²
• 10×4 in an area of 40 m²

Take a look at our Pool Sizes page for more great sizing options.

Regular, rectangular pools

Rectangular is the shape and style most of us envision when we think of a backyard swimming pool. These pools often have more than enough room to cool off, play games, entertain, and get some exercise in.

Lap pools

As the name suggests, lap pools are designed for swimming laps! They are a long, narrow shape with minimal features so you can swim your laps unobstructed. This pool type is great for exercise but generally less family-friendly.

Plunge pools

Plunge pools are smaller and designed for relaxing, cooling off and entertaining, rather than swimming. Flexible in shape and size, they typically have a flat bottom, sit somewhere between the size of a spa and a regular pool, and are ideal for those with limited space who still want an ideal place to escape the heat.

Pool Type	Avg Size	Layout Options	Pros	Cons
Rectangular Pool	8m x 4m (32 m2)	Rectangular	Ideal for entertaining Great for exercise Perfect for active children Largest visual impact on your home	Most expensive among pool types Requires the most room
Lap Pool	12m x 2.5m (30 m2)	Rectangular (long and narrow)	Purpose-built for swimming laps	Less versatile shape Less family-friendly (no steps or ledges) Relatively expensive – close in price to larger rectangular pools
Plunge Pool	3m x 3m (9 m2)	Rectangular	Requires minimal space Cheap and easy to maintain Lowest cost	Not large enough to swim in Limited to only a few people

When you work with one of our expert team members, we’ll explore your pool preferences, look at the area where you’d like it installed, and come up with the best shape and size for your specific property and needs.

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions about the dimensions, layout or size options for your new fibreglass pool? Below is an overview of the most common questions we see. If we’ve missed anything, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team, we’d love to help out!

What are standard pool sizes?

A typical rectangular backyard pool in Australia is around 14m x 6m (84m2). Other popular options are lap pools (around 12m x 2.5m or 30m2) and plunge pools (around 3m x 3m or 9m2).

What is the best size pool for a family of 4 or 5?

Assuming space and budget are suitable, a larger pool like our Valentina is your best option. At 8m x 4m with a ledge along one side, this model is ideal for families with children – from toddlers learning to swim up to older kids wanting to play with their friends.

What shape of pool is best?

In most situations, a rectangular pool is your best option. This is why it’s the most common. While bespoke shapes have their place, the long, straight sides of a rectangular design generally make for a more versatile pool. Rectangular pools often fit perfectly into most yards, since a typical block is also rectangular.

What are the different pool styles?

The three most common pool styles in Australia are rectangular pools, lap pools and plunge pools. See the information above for more information.

What is the most common pool shape?

By far, the most common pool shape in Australia is a rectangular pool. This shape generally offers the best versatility, more size and feature options and a simpler, cheaper installation process.

What is most popular pool size?

From our fibreglass pool range, the 7m x 3.5m Palazzo model has proven to be our most popular lately, followed by the 6m x 3m Empire model.

What is the size of a standard pool in Australia?

There’s no single ‘standard’ pool size in Australia, though the most common sizes will range from a 6m x 3m to 10m x 4m, depending on the size of your yard.

Although sizes and shapes will vary by manufacturer, the typical sizes you’ll come across in fibreglass pools include:

• 6×3 in an area of 18 m²
• 7×3 in an area of 21 m²
• 8×4 in an area of 32 m²
• 9×4 in an area of 36 m²
• 10×4 in an area of 40 m²