DIY Cost Tools
Cylinder Volume Calculator
GEOMETRY CALCULATOR
Calculate the volume and surface measurements of a right circular cylinder from its radius and height.
How it works
A cylinder’s volume equals its circular base area multiplied by height. Total surface area includes two circular bases plus the curved side.
Formulas
Volume V = πr²h
Lateral area = 2πrh
Total surface area = 2πr² + 2πrh
Example
A cylinder with radius 4 and height 10 has volume about 502.6548 cubic units.
Important limits
- The calculator assumes a right circular cylinder.
- Radius and height must use the same linear unit.
- Capacity conversions may differ from geometric volume because of wall thickness or fill level.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enter diameter instead?
Divide the diameter by 2 before entering the radius.
Why are volume units cubic?
Volume measures three-dimensional space, so each length unit appears three times.
Checking cylinder volume results
Use the inside radius for container capacity and the outside radius for a solid cylinder. If you measured diameter, divide it by two before applying the formula πr²h. Radius and height must use the same unit; the calculated volume will then be expressed in that unit cubed.
For liquid capacity, convert the cubic result to gallons, liters, or another preferred unit only after calculating the geometric volume. Real tanks may hold less because of rounded ends, internal components, fill limits, or unusable space below an outlet. For concrete columns or drilled holes, allow for over-excavation, spillage, and supplier batch sizes. Keep full precision during the calculation and round the final purchasing quantity upward where shortages would interrupt the job.
Review notes
Calculations use standard circle and right-cylinder geometry. Last reviewed September 30, 2026.