Cylinder Volume Calculator
Instantly calculate the volume, base area, and total surface area of a cylinder. Enter the radius and height with automatic unit conversions for any measurement system.
Cylinder Dimensions
Enter radius, height, and select units
Distance from the center to the edge of the circular base
Perpendicular distance between the two bases
Select your preferred unit for the final volume calculation
Cylinder Metrics
Calculated volume and surface areas
Enter the radius and height of your cylinder, then click Calculate Volume to see the results.
Cylinder Formulas
Standard geometric formulas for calculating the properties of a right circular cylinder.
| Property | Formula | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Volume (V) | V = πr²h | The 3D space enclosed by the cylinder |
| Base Area (A) | A = πr² | The area of one circular end |
| Lateral Area (L) | L = 2πrh | The area of the curved side surface |
| Total Surface Area (T) | T = 2πr² + 2πrh | Total area including both bases and the side |
Cylinder Volume FAQ
Everything you need to know about calculating cylinder geometry and unit conversions.
The volume of a cylinder is calculated using the formula V = πr²h, where V is the volume, r is the radius of the circular base, and h is the height of the cylinder. Pi (π) is approximately 3.14159.
A hollow cylinder (like a pipe or tube) has an outer radius (R) and an inner radius (r). The volume of the solid material is calculated by subtracting the inner volume from the outer volume: V = π(R² – r²)h. This gives the volume of the shell itself.
Both are 3D shapes with parallel bases, but a prism has flat polygonal bases (like a triangle or square), while a cylinder has circular bases. The volume formula for any prism or cylinder is the same: Base Area × Height. For a cylinder, the base area is πr².
There are exactly 1,000 liters in one cubic meter (m³). This is because 1 liter is defined as the volume of a cube with 10 cm sides (1,000 cm³), and 1 m³ is equal to 1,000,000 cm³. This calculator automatically converts cubic meters to liters if selected.
You can rearrange the volume formula V = πr²h to solve for height. Divide the volume by the base area (πr²): h = V / (πr²). Ensure that your volume and radius are in compatible units before calculating.