How do you calculate the volume of a cylinder?

Use V = π × r² × h, where r is the radius (half the diameter) and h is the height (or length for a horizontal tank). This calculator accepts radius or diameter and performs the unit conversions for you.

Can this calculator estimate volume in a horizontal partially filled cylinder (tank)?

Yes. Choose the 'Horizontal cylinder – liquid level' mode, enter diameter, length and fill height. The tool applies the circular segment formula to find the liquid volume.

Which output units are available?

The calculator returns volume in cubic meters (m³), liters, cubic centimeters, cubic feet and US gallons to match engineering, construction and everyday use.

Geometry / Volume

Cylinder Volume Calculator

Find the volume of cylindrical tanks, pipes and containers. Supports full vertical cylinders and horizontal partially filled tanks, with instant conversion to liters, m³, ft³ and US gallons.

Calculator

Mode

Input unit

Radius

Diameter (optional)

If both radius and diameter are present, diameter is used.

Height / Length

Results

Total cylinder volume (full) in multiple units.

Cubic meters (m³)

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Liters (L)

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Cubic centimeters (cm³)

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Cubic feet (ft³)

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US gallons (gal)

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Cylinder volume formulas

Case	Formula	Notes
Standard cylinder	V = π × r² × h	r = radius, h = height
Diameter known	V = π × (d/2)² × h	d = diameter
Horizontal cylinder (partial)	V = A_segment × L	A_segment from circular segment with depth = fill height

How this cylinder volume calculator works

Most volume problems with a cylinder come down to the classic formula:

Standard cylinder: \( V = \pi r^2 h \)

This tool lets you enter either radius or diameter (we prioritize diameter if both are present) and converts your dimensions to meters internally. After the volume in m³ is computed, it is converted to liters, cm³, ft³ and US gallons.

Horizontal partially filled tanks

Real tanks are often horizontal. If you know diameter, length and the liquid level, the volume is no longer πr²h. You have to compute the area of the circular segment defined by the fill height.

Segment area: \( A = r^2 \cos^{-1}\left(\frac{r - h}{r}\right) - (r - h)\sqrt{2rh - h^2} \)

Volume: \( V = A \times L \)

This is the same method used by many industrial tank volume charts.

FAQ

Can I use this for pipes?

Yes. A pipe is essentially a cylinder. For hollow pipes, compute outer volume and subtract inner volume.

What’s the difference between liters and US gallons?

1 m³ = 1000 L, but 1 m³ ≈ 264.172 US gallons. The calculator shows both.

What if the tank is not perfectly cylindrical?

Then this formula is an approximation. Use manufacturer tables or segment-by-segment volume estimation for irregular tanks.