Cylinder Volume Calculator
Cylinder volume calculator to find the volume of vertical cylinders and horizontal partially filled tanks. Enter radius or diameter and height/length in mm, cm, m or inches. Get results in m³, liters, ft³ and US gallons.
Dimensions & options
If both radius and diameter are provided, diameter takes precedence.
Cubic meters (m³)
How to Use This Calculator
Pick between a full vertical cylinder and a horizontal tank, choose the units that match your drawing or measurement, fill in the dimensions (radius/diameter plus height or length and optional fill height), then hit Calculate to see the volume in multiple units.
- Full cylinders use either the radius input or the optional diameter to compute π × r² × h.
- Horizontal mode uses the diameter, length, and fill height to compute the liquid volume via a circular segment area.
- Results render instantly in the hero results card and populate the conversion table for download.
Methodology
Inputs are converted to meters behind the scenes so the calculator uses consistent units. The primary formula for a full cylinder is V = π × r² × h; diameter values are converted to radius before squaring. Horizontal calculations approximate the liquid volume via the standard circular segment area formula when a fill height is provided.
Conversion strategy
Once the meter-based volume is known, the tool multiplies by 1,000 for liters, 1,000,000 for cubic centimeters, 35.3146667215 for cubic feet, and 264.172052358 for US gallons to keep the outputs consistent and repeatable.
Horizontal partially filled tanks
The calculator clamps the fill height between zero and the diameter. If the fill height matches the diameter, the tank is full and the segment area collapses to πr². For in-between heights it solves for the central angle and subtracts the triangular cap to isolate the liquid area.
Figures are estimates and assume solid, perfect cylinders. Use manufacturer specifications or survey data for precision manufacturing or safety-critical calculations.
FAQ
Can I use this for pipes?
Yes. A pipe is essentially a cylinder. For hollow pipes, compute the outer volume and subtract the 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 for easy comparison.
What if the tank is not perfectly cylindrical?
Then the cylinders formulas give an approximation. Use manufacturer tables, segmented modeling, or CAD tools for irregular geometry.
Full original guide (expanded)
The original page also carried contextual audit notes describing how the formulas were sourced, the need to verify assumptions, and the Geometry Desk review process. That background is preserved in the verification section below along with the audit-sourced references.
Tips from the legacy guide: when measuring an exterior cylinder for liquid storage, use the inner diameter for accurate usable volume, and keep fill height entries between zero and the physical diameter to avoid impossible values.