Iron Filter Calculator
Enter your iron level and household flow to see the right iron-removal approach and size for your well water.
Iron in well water
A softener removes only low clear-water iron (≈1–3 ppm). Above that, or with sulfur smell or red-water iron, you need a dedicated iron filter ahead of the softener. See Iron Filter vs Water Softener.
Frequently asked questions
How much iron can a water softener remove?
Roughly 1–3 ppm of dissolved (clear-water) iron. Above that, or with oxidized/red-water iron or sulfur, install a dedicated iron filter first.
What iron filter removes sulfur smell too?
An air-injection oxidizing (AIO) filter removes both iron and hydrogen-sulfide (rotten-egg) odor. It's the most common all-in-one well-water solution.
What size iron filter do I need?
Size the tank to your peak flow (gpm) so it backwashes properly — about 10x54 for low flow up to 14x65 for high flow. Our calculator suggests a starting size.