Cylinder Volume Calculator
Volume, capacity, surface areas and weight for any cylinder.
Quick answer
With the default inputs: Diameter 1 · Height 3Cylinder volume 2.356 m³
Edit the inputs below to recalculate.Inputs
Result
Cylinder volume
2.356m³
| Radius | 0.500m |
| Base area | 0.7854m² |
| Lateral area | 9.425m² |
| Total surface area | 10.996m² |
| Capacity | 2356.2L |
| Weight full of water | 2.356t |
| Weight full of concrete | 5.655t |
| Internal formwork area | 9.425m² |
| Capacity per metre | 785.4L |
Capacity needs the internal diameter; the external diameter gives the space occupied. Tanks and silos are measured inside, concrete columns outside. Cylinder formwork is the lateral area only — the ends are usually excluded, the base sitting on blinding and the top being open.
Reverse: known result, work out one input
Enter a target result; the other inputs stay fixed and this one is worked out.
Formula
| Radius | r = d ÷ 2 |
| Base area | A = π r² |
| Volume | V = π r² h |
| Lateral area | A = π d h |
| Total area | A = π d h + 2π r² |
| Capacity | V(L) = V(m³) × 1000 |
A 1 m diameter, 3 m high cylinder: 0.7854 m² base, 2.356 m³ volume, 9.425 m² lateral area, 10.996 m² total, 2356.2 L capacity and 2.356 t when full of water.
How to work it out
- Convert diameter to radius, then compute the base area A = π r².
- Volume V = π r² h, covering concrete columns, circular tanks and shaft linings.
- Lateral area = π d h. That is the formwork area for a circular column, which costs 30-50% more than a square one.
- Total surface area = π d h + 2π r², used for coatings, protection and insulation.
- Volume conversion: 1 m³ = 1000 L. Tank, silo and vessel capacities are often quoted in litres or tonnes, with water at 1 t/m³.
- Self weight = volume × density: concrete 2.4 t/m³ (reinforced 2.5), steel 7.85, water 1.0.
Where it goes wrong
- Computing base area from diameter. A = π d² ÷ 4 is correct; writing π d² gives four times too much.
- Counting only the lateral area for formwork. A closed cylinder such as a tank base or circular footing also needs the two end faces.
- Using 2.4 t/m³ for reinforced concrete. At 100-150 kg/m³ of reinforcement the density is 2.5, so 2.4 understates weight by about 4%.
- Confusing volume with capacity by ignoring wall thickness. Capacity must use the internal diameter; using the external treats the wall itself as water, an error of several tonnes.
Material and cost
Labour and formwork for circular work clearly exceed rectangular: circular column formwork 60-120 CNY/m², tank wall formwork 80-150, both 30-50% above square equivalents. Concrete price is unchanged, but placing and vibration are slower, adding about 20% to labour.
On site
- Tank capacity uses effective water depth, not overall depth. Freeboard of 0.3-0.5 m does not count.
- Joint count drives appearance on circular columns. Fair-faced work needs purpose-made steel or curved timber forms, since extra joints leave visible ridges.
- Reinforcement in circular footings runs as rings and radials, so cut lengths follow the circumference rather than rectangular practice.
- Large columns over 1.5 m diameter must be placed in lifts of 500 mm or less; otherwise lateral pressure blows the formwork.
Basis
- GB 50854-2013 Standard method of measurement for building and decorative works
- GB 50666-2011 Code for construction of concrete structures, concrete works
- GB 50010-2010 (2015 edition) Code for design of concrete structures
FAQ
Why does my tank always hold less than calculated?
Three reasons: using the outside diameter — a tank 4 m outside with 200 mm walls is 3.6 m inside, 19% less volume; ignoring freeboard, since the water line sits 200-300 mm below the top; and ignoring internals such as columns, baffles and ladders. Use the bore, deduct freeboard, and the error falls under 2%.
Does a round or square column use less formwork?
For equal area, round uses less because the circle has the shortest perimeter. But curved panels cost over twice as much as flat ones and need bespoke hoops, so for small and medium sections square is cheaper overall. Round steel forms only pay on large diameters, piers and silos where the cost is amortised.
Can the cylinder formula be used for a conical stockpile?
No — a cone uses V = πr²h/3, one third of the cylinder for the same base and height. A natural sand or gravel pile is closer to a frustum with a flattened top, so use V = πh/3 × (R² + Rr + r²); treating it as a cone overstates by 10-20%.
Cite this page
Use this format in reports, method statements or coursework. The link is permanent.
Building Calculator. Cylinder Volume Calculator. 2026-10-25. https://jianzhujisuan.com/en/cylinder-volume
Results are estimating aids only and are not a design basis. Construction and final accounts must follow the drawings, the applicable standards and an approved method statement. Anything affecting structural safety, shoring or falsework must be checked by a suitably qualified engineer.