78–82°F is the sweet spot for your pool.

78–82°F (25–28°C). That’s the range where most adults find it comfortable enough to swim without shivering or feeling like soup. Anything below 75 starts to feel cold unless you’re doing laps, and anything above 85 gets sticky and makes you want to just float.

There’s no single perfect number because it depends who’s swimming. Kids and older folks usually prefer 84–86°F. Lap swimmers like it cooler, around 78–80°F, because they heat up fast. If your pool gets used by everyone, split the difference at 80–81°F and call it a day.

The real cost comes from heating. Every degree above 78 costs money, especially with a gas heater. So pick a temp that’s warm enough to be pleasant, but not so warm you’re paying for a hot tub you only use twice a week.

A pool at 80°F isn’t a massive compromise – it’s the default of people who actually swim.