Cylinder Volume Calculator
Volume, lateral surface area and total surface area of a cylinder from its radius and height — tanks, pipes, cans and columns.
A cylinder is a circle extruded along a height: volume = πr²h.
How the cylinder volume calculator works
A cylinder is a circle extruded along a height: volume = πr²h. The curved (lateral) surface unrolls to a rectangle, 2πrh, and the two ends add 2πr². Enter the radius (half the diameter) and the height in the same unit; the volume is in that unit cubed.
Formula: V = πr²h; lateral A = 2πrh; total A = 2πrh + 2πr²
Worked examples
| Inputs | Volume | Note |
|---|---|---|
| r 3, h 10 | 282.743339 | 282.74 |
| r 5.4 cm, h 12 cm (drink can) | 410.543328 | ≈ 410 cm³ = 0.41 L |
FAQFrequently asked questions
Is the radius half the diameter?
Yes — measure across the circle and halve it.
How do I get litres from cm³?
Divide by 1,000: a cylinder of 410 cm³ holds 0.41 litres.
What if the cylinder is on its side?
The volume is the same; only "height" becomes the length.
How is a pipe's volume different?
Subtract the inner cylinder from the outer: π(R² − r²)h.
What about a cone?
A cone with the same base and height has one third of the volume: πr²h ÷ 3.
Where these figures come from
- NIST Digital Library of Mathematical Functions — reference definitions for elementary and special functions
- Wolfram MathWorld — definitions and formulas for every topic on this page
- NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods — the statistical formulas (mean, variance, z, confidence intervals, sample size)
- Australian Curriculum (ACARA) — Mathematics — the terms and methods taught in Australian schools
Last checked: September 2026. Formulas are fixed by mathematics and do not change with tax years or regulations.