Cylinder Volume Calculator
By Santaji GadepatilinUpdated October 27, 2026
A cylinder's volume is the area of its circular base times its height. It is the basis for tank, pipe and container capacity calculations. This free cylinder volume calculator solves for whichever value you leave blank and shows the formula and steps.
Volume (L) vs Height (cm) — other inputs held at your current values.
How to use the cylinder volume calculator
Enter the radius and height to get the volume and total surface area. Pick any unit for each field — for example radius in cm and volume in litres.
You can also solve backwards: enter the volume you need and either the radius or the height to find the other dimension.
Cylinder volume formulas
V = π r² h S = 2πr(r + h)
- Volume is the circle’s area (πr²) multiplied by the height.
- Surface area is the two circular ends (2πr²) plus the curved side (2πrh).
Worked example: water tank
A vertical tank has an inside diameter of 1.2 m and is 1.5 m tall.
- Radius = 0.6 m
- V = π × 0.6² × 1.5 = 1.696 m³ = 1,696 litres
Tank capacity examples
| Diameter | Height | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 10 cm | 20 cm | 1.57 L |
| 30 cm | 50 cm | 35.34 L |
| 60 cm | 100 cm | 282.74 L |
| 100 cm | 120 cm | 942.48 L |
| 150 cm | 150 cm | 2650.72 L |
| 200 cm | 200 cm | 6283.19 L |
Horizontal tank: partly filled
For a cylinder lying on its side and filled to depth h, the liquid volume is the segment area times the length L:
V = L × [r² × acos((r − h) ÷ r) − (r − h) × √(2rh − h²)]
A tank of radius 50 cm and length 200 cm filled to 25 cm holds about 307 L — less than a quarter of its 1,571 L capacity, because the bottom is narrow.
Pipe volume
Pipes are long cylinders. For the water in a pipe, use the inner diameter:
- 25 mm pipe, 10 m long: π × 0.0125² × 10 = 4.9 L
- 100 mm pipe, 50 m long: π × 0.05² × 50 = 393 L
Surface area for painting or insulation
- Curved surface only (open both ends): 2πrh
- One closed end (open-top tank): 2πrh + πr²
- Closed cylinder: 2πr(r + h)
Unit tips
- 1 m³ = 1,000 litres
- 1 litre = 1,000 cm³
- 1 US gallon = 3.785 litres
- 1 ft³ = 28.32 litres
Using diameter instead of radius
Most pipes and tanks are specified by diameter. Divide by two before entering, or use the circle calculator to convert first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for the volume of a cylinder?
V = π × r² × h. A cylinder with a 10 cm radius and 30 cm height holds about 9.42 litres.
How do I calculate the capacity of a round tank?
Measure the inside diameter and height, halve the diameter to get the radius, and enter both. Choose litres or gallons as the volume unit.
How do I find the height needed for a given volume?
Press × on Height, then type the radius and the volume you need.
How many litres in a cylinder 1 m across and 1 m high?
π × 0.5² × 1 = 0.785 m³, which is 785 litres.
How do I convert cubic inches to gallons?
Divide by 231 for US gallons. The calculator shows US gallons automatically when you choose imperial units.