Cylinder Volume Calculator

What is a Cylinder?

A cylinder is a three-dimensional solid with two parallel circular bases connected by a curved surface. The line segment joining the centers of the two bases is called the axis. In a right cylinder, the axis is perpendicular to the bases. The distance between the bases along the axis is the height.

Types of Cylinders

Real-World Examples

• •Beverage cans: Soda cans, beer cans, and food tins are cylindrical for efficient stacking and manufacturing
• •Storage tanks: Water tanks, fuel tanks, and industrial containers often use cylindrical shapes
• •Pipes and tubes: Plumbing pipes, electrical conduits, and structural tubes are hollow cylinders
• •Nature: Tree trunks, plant stems, some bones, and bacterial flagella approximate cylinders
• •Engines: Pistons move within cylindrical chambers in internal combustion engines

How do I calculate cylinder volume?

Multiply π (pi, approximately 3.14159) by the radius squared, then multiply by the height. The formula is V = πr²h. If you know the diameter instead of radius, divide the diameter by 2 to get the radius first.

What is the difference between radius and diameter?

The radius is the distance from the center of the circle to its edge. The diameter is the distance across the circle through its center, equal to twice the radius (d = 2r).

How do I convert cubic centimeters to liters?

1 liter equals 1,000 cubic centimeters. Divide your cm³ value by 1,000 to get liters. For example, 500 cm³ = 0.5 liters.

What's the volume of a hollow cylinder?

For a hollow cylinder (like a pipe), calculate the volume of the outer cylinder and subtract the volume of the inner cylinder: V = π × h × (R² - r²), where R is the outer radius and r is the inner radius.

Does the volume formula work for oblique (tilted) cylinders?

Yes! The volume of an oblique cylinder is the same as a right cylinder with the same base area and height. This follows from Cavalieri's principle. Use the perpendicular height (not the slant height) in your calculation.

What is the lateral surface area?

The lateral (or curved) surface area is the area of the cylinder's side, excluding the circular bases. It equals 2πrh, which is the circumference of the base multiplied by the height. Think of it as unrolling the cylinder's side into a rectangle.