Cylinder volume
Cylindrical Volume Calculator
Enter a radius or diameter and a height to get an instant, accurate cylinder volume in any unit — with the formula and every step shown.
Getting the volume of a cylinder comes down to two measurements: how wide it is across, and how tall it is. This cylindrical volume calculator does the arithmetic for you — type in a radius or diameter and a height, choose your units, and the answer appears with the working laid out underneath.
The reason this shape earns a dedicated tool is that its two measurements are easy to get wrong. Confusing radius with diameter doubles your answer; mixing inches with centimetres throws it out completely. Keeping each measurement labelled, and letting the tool convert, removes both traps before they cost you.
Using the calculator
- Measure across the circular end — the diameter or radius.
- If you measured the diameter, halve it to get the radius r.
- Square the radius and multiply by π to get the base area.
- Multiply the base area by the height h: V = π r² h.
- Convert the result into your preferred unit above.
Getting an accurate measurement
If you can only reach the top, measure the diameter across the opening and halve it. Keep every measurement in the same system, and let the tool convert between units for you.
How the volume is worked out
The volume of a cylinder is:
V = π r² hA worked example
Worked example. Take a cylinder with a diameter of 10 cm (so a radius of 5 cm) and a height of 25 cm. The base area is π × 5² = 78.54 cm², and multiplying by the height gives a volume of about 1.96 litres (1,963 cm³ · 0.52 US gallons).
For anything that holds liquid, measure the inside of the cylinder — the wall takes up space that the contents cannot.
Conversions use standard factors: 1 US gallon = 231 in³, 1 Imperial gallon = 4.54609 L, 1 litre = 1000 cm³.
What people work out next
Most jobs need one or two more things once the volume lands. The common follow-ups, with the numbers you need, are below:
Can I get the weight too?
Tick estimate weight, pick a material, and the calculator multiplies volume by density to show the mass in kilograms and pounds.
What will the volume be in gallons or litres?
You do not have to choose up front. The result lists litres, US gallons, Imperial gallons, cubic feet and more together, so you can switch the main unit whenever you like.
What if I have the diameter, not the radius?
Toggle the base input to diameter and the tool halves it for you. There is also a circumference option for when that is all you were able to measure.
How do I find a missing dimension?
If you know the volume you need and one measurement, the reverse-solver returns the height, radius or diameter that matches it.
Where people use this
It comes in handy across quite different tasks:
- Checking a geometry homework answer
- Sizing a barrel, drum or planter
- Estimating pipe or duct volume
- Planning a DIY water feature
Common mistakes to avoid
The commonest slip is using the diameter where the formula wants the radius, which on its own quadruples the base area. Close behind is mixing units, such as a radius in centimetres with a height in metres. Keep every length in the same unit, or let the tool convert, and double-check whether you measured to the centre or across the whole width. When a figure looks surprising, that width measurement is almost always where the problem is hiding, so re-read it first.
One result, every unit
One number, many units. Whatever you enter, the result lists the same volume as litres, US gallons, Imperial gallons, millilitres, cubic centimetres, cubic inches, cubic feet, cubic yards and cubic metres at the same time. You almost never have to convert by hand: read the figure in the unit your job uses and copy any of the others straight from the breakdown. If you need a shareable version, the copy-link button preserves your exact inputs so a colleague opens the page with the same calculation already filled in.
Related things you might need
Once you have your answer you may also want to work in gallons litres & liters volume formula. These related calculators pick up where this one leaves off:
In short: measure the width and the height, keep them in the same unit, and the tool turns them into a volume you can read in litres, gallons, cubic feet or anything else, with the working shown so you can trust it. If a result ever looks off, re-enter the measurement you are least sure of, or switch to the diameter input and let the tool halve it for you, which catches the most common error before it matters.
Frequently asked questions
Do I use radius or diameter?
What units can I use?
Is the volume of a cylinder squared or cubed?
Does this work for a tank or a pipe?
What is the formula for the volume of a cylinder?
V = π r² h — the area of the circular base (π r²) multiplied by the height (h). If you have the diameter instead of the radius, halve it first: r = d ÷ 2.