Cylinder Volume Calculator

V = πr²h. Surface area = 2πr² + 2πrh (top + bottom + side).

Inputs

Result

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General calculation reads

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How to use this calculator

  • Enter radius and height.
  • Read volume + surface area + side area.

About this calculator

A cylinder has two circular ends and a rectangular wrap-around side (when "unrolled"). Volume V = πr²h — base area times height. Surface area: 2πr² (top + bottom circles) + 2πrh (lateral surface = circumference × height). Cylinders are everywhere: cans, pipes, water tanks, columns. The familiar "soda can" is ~6.6 cm diameter × 12.2 cm tall ≈ 355 mL.

Frequently asked

Why is the side area 2πrh?+
When unrolled, the cylinder side is a rectangle: width = circumference = 2πr; height = h. Area = 2πrh.
Cylinder vs. prism?+
Cylinder: circular base. Prism: polygonal base (triangular, hexagonal, etc.). Same V = base-area × height formula.
Liters from cm?+
V (cm³) / 1000 = liters. A 5 cm radius × 20 cm cylinder: π × 25 × 20 ≈ 1571 cm³ ≈ 1.57 L.
Hollow cylinder?+
Subtract inner cylinder: V = π(R² − r²)h where R = outer, r = inner radius. Common for pipes.
Optimal shape for can?+
For minimum surface area at given volume: h = 2r (height = diameter). Real cans deviate for stacking and ergonomics.

Related calculators

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Circle Circumference Calculator
C = 2πr (or πd). Area = πr². The fundamental circle formulas.
Pyramid Volume Calculator
V = (1/3) × base area × height. For square / rectangular / triangular bases.

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