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    Pool School, Closing

    Above Ground Pool Air Pillow Size Chart

    Active Pool Supply · Updated September 22, 2026

    The short answer

    Size the air pillow to the pool: a 4 x 4 ft pillow for 12 to 16 ft rounds and a 12 x 18 ft oval, a 4 x 8 ft for 18 to 24 ft rounds and for ovals from 12 x 20 to 16 x 32 ft, and a 4 x 15 ft for 27 to 33 ft rounds and ovals 18 x 33 ft and larger. Fill it half to three-quarters full, tape the valve and tie it in the center of the pool.

    Air pillow sizes for every above ground pool

    Pool Pillow Largest the chart allows We carry
    12 ft round 4 x 4 ft 4 x 8 ft PoolTux 4 x 4 ft
    15 ft round 4 x 4 ft 4 x 8 ft PoolTux 4 x 4 ft
    16 ft round 4 x 4 ft 4 x 8 ft PoolTux 4 x 4 ft
    18 ft round 4 x 8 ft two 4 x 4 ft PoolTux 4 x 8 ft
    21 ft round 4 x 8 ft one 4 x 15 ft or two 4 x 8 ft PoolTux 4 x 8 ft
    24 ft round 4 x 8 ft one 4 x 15 ft or two 4 x 8 ft PoolTux 4 x 8 ft
    27 ft round 4 x 15 ft two 4 x 15 ft Poolstyle 4.5 x 15 ft
    28 ft round 4 x 15 ft two 4 x 15 ft Poolstyle 4.5 x 15 ft
    30 ft round 4 x 15 ft two 4 x 15 ft Poolstyle 4.5 x 15 ft
    33 ft round 4 x 15 ft two 4 x 15 ft Poolstyle 4.5 x 15 ft
    12 x 18 ft oval 4 x 4 ft 4 x 8 ft PoolTux 4 x 4 ft
    12 x 20 ft oval 4 x 8 ft 4 x 15 ft PoolTux 4 x 8 ft
    12 x 24 ft oval 4 x 8 ft 4 x 15 ft PoolTux 4 x 8 ft
    15 x 24 ft oval 4 x 8 ft 4 x 15 ft PoolTux 4 x 8 ft
    15 x 26 ft oval 4 x 8 ft 4 x 15 ft PoolTux 4 x 8 ft
    15 x 30 ft oval 4 x 8 ft 4 x 15 ft PoolTux 4 x 8 ft
    16 x 25 ft oval 4 x 8 ft 4 x 15 ft PoolTux 4 x 8 ft
    16 x 32 ft oval 4 x 8 ft 4 x 15 ft PoolTux 4 x 8 ft
    18 x 34 ft oval 4 x 15 ft one 4 x 15 ft Poolstyle 4.5 x 15 ft
    18 x 36 ft oval 4 x 15 ft one 4 x 15 ft Poolstyle 4.5 x 15 ft
    18 x 38 ft oval 4 x 15 ft one 4 x 15 ft Poolstyle 4.5 x 15 ft
    18 x 40 ft oval 4 x 15 ft two 4 x 15 ft Poolstyle 4.5 x 15 ft
    21 x 41 ft oval 4 x 15 ft two 4 x 15 ft Poolstyle 4.5 x 15 ft
    21 x 43 ft oval 4 x 15 ft two 4 x 15 ft Poolstyle 4.5 x 15 ft

    From an above ground pool cover air pillow sizing chart, except rounds up to 16 ft and the 12 x 18 ft oval: the chart names a 4 x 5 ft there, and we recommend the 4 x 4 ft that PoolTux packs with its small round cover bundles. Sizes between the chart's rows take the size of the row below them.

    How to put the pillow in

    • Fill it about half to three-quarters full, never tight: a tight pillow pops under the load.
    • Tape over the valve so it does not leak down over the winter.
    • Float it in the center and tie it through its grommets to the top rail, not so tight that the strings tear it.
    • Lay the cover over it; the cover rests on the pillow and the water.

    The full winterizing guide covers every step.

    Products in this guide

    PoolTux 4' x 8' Equalizer Pillow, WTB-1019 $2799 In stock
    Poolstyle 4.5' x 15' Equalizer Pillow, WTB-1020 $4499 In stock

    Questions

    Do I need two air pillows?

    Usually not. The chart recommends one pillow for every size above; for the larger pools it allows two as the most you should use. Some retailers suggest two 4 x 8 ft pillows on a 24 ft round, which the chart lists as its largest option for that size.

    Can I use an inner tube or a ball instead?

    Use a pool air pillow. Inner tubes and exercise balls do not take the ice as well.

    How do I inflate an air pillow?

    An electric air pump, a hair dryer on the cool setting, or a shop vac run in reverse. Stop at half to three-quarters full.

    What does an air pillow do?

    It takes the push of expanding ice. As the water freezes, it presses in toward the pillow instead of out against the walls, the liner and the cover.

    Find your coverEvery above ground winter cover by pool size, with the right pillow and closing kit for each.Shop winter covers