Aim for 1–3 ppm free chlorine.

Between 1 and 3 parts per million. That’s the sweet spot for a residential pool.

Below 1 ppm and you’re asking for algae and bacteria to move in. Above 3 ppm and you’re wasting chemicals, irritating eyes, and fading swimsuits. Most test kits use a color scale that makes 1–3 easy to read, so there’s no reason to guess.

The exact number depends on stabilizer (cyanuric acid) levels and sun exposure. If you have a lot of direct sun and use stabilized chlorine, you can run closer to 3 ppm. If your pool is shaded and you use non-stabilized tabs, 1.5 ppm is fine.

Test weekly, adjust as needed. It’s not complicated.