What is grain in water softener?
Many wonder what exactly the term water softener grain capacity means. Although there are several discussions around this term and you might have come across valuable information, here we offer an explanation again. Let us get started!
The water softener capacity or water softener grain capacity numbers will accompany the number of bathrooms the device is able to provide soft water. Despite the term ‘capacity’ hinting at quantity, the actual representation and meaning of the term is how much water hardness level the unit is able to remove from the hard water in between its regeneration cycle. A regeneration process or regeneration cycle of a unit will vary across the unit models depending on the manufacturing. It can last anywhere between 7 to 14 days on average.
What is a water softener grain?

Water softener grain is the term used to denote how much hardness the device or unit is capable of removing between two regeneration cycles.
How many grains should my water softener be?

Everyone is curious to know the grain capacity of their water softener. One must remember that the water softener grain capacity one requires will vary depending on the water hardness level. Other factors like how much water is required per day and the frequency in which the water softening system will regenerate will also determine the water softener grain capacity that is required. it is important to remember that these numbers and statistics are going to vary depending on the household needs and the location of the city’s water supply.
Yet another detail that must be taken into consideration when it comes to the functioning of a water-softening system is the amount of iron content that is present in the water. For example, 1 ppm of iron in the water will translate to 5 gpg of water hardness. This means another 5 must be added for every 1 ppm of iron found in the water supply. Therefore, for this example, the grains per gallon to be removed will be 10 gpg, which is 5 gpg + 5 for 1 ppm of iron.
To provide a rough calculation as an example, the daily water consumption of an average US citizen is 82 gallons of water. Hence, the daily water consumption for 4 family members is 328 gallons of water. When this number is multiplied by the water hardness level, you will get 3,300 grains of water hardness to be removed per day for 4 family members, bearing in mind the 10gpg as aforementioned.
Moving forward, we arrive at the regeneration cycle. Let us assume that the water softener system regenerates water once every 7 days. In this case, the water hardness that has to be removed must be multiplied by 7. For the scenario we have considered in the article, this comes up to 23,100.
Another point to be taken care of is the manner in which manufacturers achieve their grain capacity numbers in lab conditions. For this reason, 10k to 20k must be added to the number. To conclude, the correct water softener grain capacity will be 32k to 44k for a family of 4.
Investing in the right size water softener is crucial to achieve efficient grain removal. An oversized water softener or a small-size water softener will not be efficient in performance. To purchase the proper water softener based on the above calculation, here is the equation to be noted:
(House hardness level x Daily water consumption for your household needs) x The number of days taken by the water softener system to regenerate
What is the difference between 48000 grain and 64000 grain water softeners?

To determine whether you require a 48000-grain capacity water softener or a 64000-grain capacity water softener you must first understand the water hardness level and the water usage in the household. It is a given that a water softener system with a 48000-grain capacity will remove less hardness from the water when compared to a 64000-grain capacity water softener.
If you are aware that the water hardness level and the water hardness minerals in your water supply are extremely high, with a figure of upto 20 grains per gallon, and there are 4 members in the family, the 48000-grain capacity water softener will be the correct water softener for your household. On the other hand, if the water hardness minerals and other impurities in the water supply in your home are extremely high and there are 5 members in the family, the proper water softener grain capacity would be 64000 for the household.
Is there a water softener that is mainly used for well water?
The Springwell Well Water Filter and Salt-Based Water Softener offers numerous benefits for well water users. This innovative system effectively tackles the common challenges associated with well water, such as high mineral content, impurities, and scale buildup. By incorporating a water softener, it efficiently removes minerals like calcium and magnesium, preventing scale formation and prolonging the lifespan of plumbing systems and appliances. Additionally, the integrated well water filter effectively eliminates sediment, iron, sulfur, and other contaminants, resulting in improved water quality, enhanced taste, and odor reduction. With cleaner, softer water, users can enjoy cleaner dishes, brighter laundry, and reduced soap and detergent usage. The Springwell Well Water Filter and Salt-Based Water Softener is a reliable solution that ensures optimal water quality, extends the longevity of appliances, and enhances the overall well water experience.
What type of water softener is most suitable for city water?
If the city’s water supply to your home is filled with hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium, or other heavy metals that have to be removed, turning to AFWFilters Built Fleck 48,000 grain capacity Water Softener system is the best solution. This device is the right water softener for homes that have a city water supply. Let us take a look at the features that make this water-softening device popular among customers.
The Fleck 5600sxt is a digital metered on-demand valve. You will also benefit from fully programmable cycles with this newest 5600 model. You will notice that the device has a 10″ x 54″ tank and a 15” x 34” brine tank with a safety float. The Fleck 5600SXT Digital Control Head with bypass valve and 1″ threaded plumbing adapter or yoke also comes in this water softener system.
The AFWFilters come with an installation kit. This makes installation easy and hassle-free. The high-quality products of the device that are manufactured and assembled in the USA ensure the water softener is highly efficient. AFWFilters is a certified True Blue dealer With this water softener you can be assured that your home is free from scale, water spots, and soap scum.
You can be confident that the metered design measures water usage and regenerates as needed. Apart from measuring water use, the digital control also makes it possible to make adjustments, maximize capacity or minimize salt usage. The seamless working of the AFWFilters water softener is ensured with the bypass and 1″ connection. The standard 1″ MNPT thread is provided for easy connection to the plumbing. The Bypass valve allows the system to be bypassed for any reason, making sure that the main city water supply is not shut off.
The standard 15” x 34” brine tank with the safety float system can hold up to 200 pounds of salt. The safety float is present to prevent accidental overfilling. 8% crosslink high capacity resin bed and Genuine NSF certified Purolite C100E resin bed are added pros.
Does the AFWFilters Built Fleck 48,000 grain capacity Water Softener system meet your expectations? If yes, invest in this water softener right away to ensure there is less salt and fewer minerals in the water supply that is sent across your home.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Why Does My Water Softener’s Grain Matter?
The water softener’s grain capacity matters to ensure that the hardness of the water is changed. How much salt or minerals are present in the water will determine how many grains per gallon capacity the water softener must possess. Before investing in any water softener device you must remember that one grain equals the hardness of a gallon of water containing 1/7000th of a pound of dissolved calcium and magnesium. Since the calcium and magnesium minerals determine the water hardness, it is crucial to make a wise decision depending on the grains of the hardness of the water softener.
2. How Much Water Will Your Softener Need To remove hardness in your water?
How much water a particular water softener will need to need to treat water hardness will vary on factors like how much salt content, mineral content, and heavy metal content exists in the water. 20 and 65 gallons of water is the quantity of water that is used by a water softener on average to regenerate.
3. What happens if the size of water softener is wrong?
Purchasing the correct size water softener is important to benefit from the efficiency of the device. An oversized water softener or a smaller water softener size will not have an impact on the water’s hardness. To have an effective performance from the device, you must ensure that the correct size water softener is purchased.
4. Can water softeners remove iron?
Yes. All water softeners are built to remove iron from water. It can be small traces of iron or high doses of iron content present in the water. However, standard water softener models are not built to treat high levels of iron content. If your hard water has high amounts of iron, you must invest in a model that is specially equipped to treat it.
5. Why are smaller grains stronger?
Smaller grains are stronger and there is a reason for the same. Smaller grains come with greater ratios of surface area to volume. By this, there is a greater ratio of grain boundary to dislocations. The strength becomes higher when a larger number of grain boundaries exist.
Wrapping Up
That’s a wrap on the article. We trust the article was able to explain what water softeners and grain capacity means. We hope the products aforementioned will be able to treat the hard water problems with well water and city water effectively. We recommended that you make an informed decision before you invest in any particular water softener for your household, after fully considering the water quality.
About The Author

Tracy Edwards, an ardent enthusiast of water treatment, is well-versed in the intricacies of water softeners and filters. Her unwavering dedication to promoting clean and healthy water sets her apart as a true advocate.