Cylinder Surface Area Calculator

SA = 2πr² + 2πrh. Two circular ends + lateral wrap.

Inputs

Result

Surface area (closed)
351.8584
Lateral 251.33 + ends 100.53.
  • Radius4
  • Height10
  • Lateral surface2πrh251.327412
  • Two ends2 × πr²100.530965
  • Total SA351.858377
  • Open-top SALateral + 1 end301.592895
  • Volume502.654825

Step-by-step

  1. Lateral = 2πrh = circumference × height = 251.3274.
  2. Two end circles = 2 × πr² = 100.5310.
  3. Total SA = 351.8584.

How to use this calculator

  • Enter radius and height.
  • Read closed + open-top + lateral surface areas.

About this calculator

A cylinder has two circular ends (each πr², total 2πr²) and a lateral surface (rectangle when unrolled, 2πr × h = 2πrh). For an open container (top removed): lateral + 1 end. For a tube (both ends open): just 2πrh. The optimal cylinder for minimum SA at given volume has h = 2r (height = diameter) — which is why most pop cans approximate this aspect ratio.

Frequently asked

Unroll the cylinder: it becomes a rectangle of width = circumference = 2πr and height = h.

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