How to use the cylinder volume calculator
Enter the two measurements, keep them in the same unit, and select Calculate. The result includes volume, total surface area, lateral surface area, base area, and the calculation steps. You can copy the text or download it as a .txt file.
- Enter the distance from the center of the circular base to its edge in Base radius.
- Enter the perpendicular distance between the two circular bases in Height.
- Choose the shared length in Unit: Millimeters (mm), Centimeters (cm), Meters (m), Kilometers (km), Inches (in), Feet (ft), Yards (yd), or Miles (mi).
- Select Calculate to show the four measurements and Formula & steps.
- Select Copy result to place the plain-text result on the clipboard, or select Download result (.txt) to create a text file.
- Select Reset to clear the measurements, restore Meters (m), clear errors, and hide the result.
Cylinder volume and surface area results
The result shows Volume, Total surface area, Lateral surface area, and Base area (×1). Areas use the selected unit squared. Volume uses the selected unit cubed. Change Base radius, Height, or Unit, and the displayed result stays hidden until you select Calculate again.
How the cylinder volume formula is applied
The calculation assumes a right circular cylinder. For radius r and perpendicular height h, it applies these formulas:
- Base area:
A_base = pi * r^2 - Lateral surface area:
A_lateral = 2 * pi * r * h - Total surface area:
A_total = 2 * A_base + A_lateral = 2 * pi * r * (r + h) - Volume:
V = pi * r^2 * h
With 4 meters in Base radius and 9 meters in Height, the result is:
Volume: 452.389342 m³
Total surface area: 326.725636 m²
Lateral surface area: 226.194671 m²
Base area (one circle): 50.265482 m²The calculator does its internal work in meters, square meters, and cubic meters. It converts the displayed areas and volume back to the selected Unit.
Why a cylinder calculation may be rejected
- Base radius and Height accept positive decimal numbers. Blank input, zero, negative values, other formats, and non-finite values are rejected.
- Each measurement must be no greater than
1e12. The calculator also rejects a non-finite volume or total surface area. - An invalid entry hides the result and shows an error message. Editing a measurement after a calculation hides the old result until you calculate again.
The calculation runs in the browser from the values you enter. If Copy result cannot copy, the result text remains visible for manual selection. Download result (.txt) creates a plain-text file.
Using the result text
The copyable result includes the entered radius and height, the selected unit, the four measurements, and the Formula & steps lines. The text ends with a note that the calculation was done locally in your browser.
Copy result sends that text to the clipboard when the page can copy it. Download result (.txt) creates the file named cylinder-volume-calculator-result.txt.
When another math calculator fits better
Choose Cone Volume Calculator for a right circular cone and its slant height. Choose Circle Area Calculator when one circle measurement is known and you need area, radius, diameter, or circumference. For equation, fraction, sequence, or other geometry work, browse Math Calculators.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate cylinder volume from radius and height?
Enter Base radius and Height, then use V = pi * r^2 * h. Select Calculate to see the volume in the selected Unit cubed.
How do I find a cylinder's total surface area?
Use A_total = 2 * pi * r * (r + h), where r is Base radius and h is Height. The result includes both circular bases and the curved side.
What is the difference between lateral and total cylinder surface area?
Lateral surface area covers the curved side with A_lateral = 2 * pi * r * h. Total surface area adds the two circular bases to that curved-side area.
Can I use inches or feet in the cylinder volume calculator?
Choose Inches (in) or Feet (ft) in Unit, then enter both Base radius and Height in that unit. Areas use its squared form, and volume uses its cubed form.
Does the cylinder volume calculator work for oblique or hollow cylinders?
It assumes a right circular cylinder with identical, parallel bases and sides perpendicular to them. It does not account for an oblique shape, a hollow interior, or wall thickness.