Free tool
Do I need a water softener?
How this works
Hardness is measured as calcium carbonate in mg/L (the same as ppm in water) or in grains per gallon (1 gpg ≈ 17.1 mg/L). The U.S. Geological Survey classifies 0–60 mg/L as soft, 61–120 as moderately hard, 121–180 as hard and over 180 as very hard (USGS).
Don't have a number? City water customers can find it in their utility's report: look it up by ZIP or see the Charlotte-area water report. Well owners need a lab test, because the state's required new-well test doesn't include hardness.
Questions
Is Charlotte's water hard?
No. Charlotte Water reported 32 mg/L in its 2025 report, which is soft.
Can a TDS meter tell me my hardness?
No. A TDS meter reads total dissolved solids, not hardness specifically. Use a hardness test or your utility's report.
What if I'm right on the line?
Near 60 mg/L, a softener rarely pays off. Look at whether scale is actually causing problems before buying one.
Start with an honest answer about your water.
Tell us about your home and water source. We'll recommend testing first, and only the equipment your results support.