How to Calculate Cylinder Volume: A Complete Guide

Calculating the volume of a cylinder is one of the most fundamental operations in geometry. Whether you’re a student, engineer, or just curious, understanding this concept is essential.

The Basic Formula

For a solid cylinder, the volume formula is:

V = π × r² × h

Where:

• V is the volume
• π (pi) is approximately 3.14159
• r is the radius of the circular base
• h is the height of the cylinder

Example Calculation

Let’s say you have a cylinder with:

• Radius = 5 cm
• Height = 10 cm

V = π × 5² × 10 = π × 25 × 10 = 785.40 cm³

Hollow Cylinders

For a hollow cylinder (like a pipe), the formula accounts for the empty space:

V = π × h × (R² − r²)

Where:

• R is the external (outer) radius
• r is the internal (inner) radius
• h is the height

Unit Conversions

Remember that volume units are cubic. When converting:

• 1 m³ = 1,000,000 cm³
• 1 liter = 1,000 cm³
• 1 gallon (US) ≈ 3,785.41 cm³

Use our Volume to Cylinder Calculator to instantly compute volumes with automatic unit conversions!