Cylinder Calculator — Volume & Surface Area
Use this cylinder calculator to quickly compute the volume, lateral area, and total surface area of a right circular cylinder. Enter the radius and height (in any consistent units) and the results will be calculated automatically.
This tool is perfect for students, educators, and professionals needing quick calculations for cylinder dimensions. Understanding the properties of cylinders is crucial in various fields, including engineering, architecture, and manufacturing.
Formulas for Cylinder Calculations
Volume = π × r² × hLateral Area = 2 × π × r × hSurface Area (Total) = 2 × π × r × (r + h)All formulas assume r is the radius and h is the height. If you use meters for inputs, results will be in square meters (areas) and cubic meters (volume). Use consistent units for accurate results.
Being able to calculate the volume and surface area is essential for many practical applications, such as determining the amount of material needed for construction or the capacity of storage tanks.
Example Calculation for a Cylinder
For a cylinder with a radius of 5 units and a height of 10 units, the calculations are as follows:
- Volume = π × 5² × 10 = π × 25 × 10 ≈ 785.398 m³
- Lateral Area = 2 × π × 5 × 10 = 100π ≈ 314.159 m²
- Surface Area = 2 × π × 5 × (5 + 10) = 150π ≈ 471.238 m²
Tip: The calculator performs these computations automatically as you type. Use the PDF button to export your inputs and results.
Use Cases for Cylinder Calculations
Understanding cylinders is vital in numerous real-world applications. Here are a few examples of how this calculator can be useful:
- In civil engineering, to calculate the volume of concrete required for cylindrical columns.
- In manufacturing, to determine the amount of paint needed for coating cylindrical objects.
- In logistics, to calculate the amount of liquid a cylindrical tank can hold.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cylinder Calculations
Do units matter?
Yes — maintaining consistency in your units is crucial. If you input the radius in meters and the height in meters, the volume will be in cubic meters and the areas in square meters.
Can I use decimal inputs?
Absolutely. The calculator accepts decimal values and rounds results to six decimal places for display. Use the exported PDF for exact recorded values.
What is lateral area?
The lateral area is the area of the curved surface of the cylinder (excluding the top and bottom). It's calculated as 2πrh.
Notes for Accuracy in Cylinder Calculations
- Negative inputs are ignored — please enter non-negative radius and height.
- All calculations use Math.PI for high precision.
- Results are rounded to six decimal places in the UI, but the exported PDF includes the exact displayed values.