
How do you calculate the volume of a cylinder? What is the lateral (curved) surface area (LSA) of a cylinder? What is the total surface area (TSA) of a cylinder? Here you will find everything you need to know about cylinders: definitions, formulas and calculations for the volume, the lateral surface area, the total surface area, the cylinder height, as well as the radius, diameter and circumference of the base of a cylinder. With the help of the cylinder calculator, you can calculate all of these cylinder properties, from the height to the volume of the cylinder to the cylinder base area. Each of the cylinder properties is then clearly derived using calculation examples with the help of the appropriate cylinder formulas.
Contents on the topic "Cylinder"
Contents
- Input Help for the Cylinder Calculator
- Definition of a Cylinder
- Cylinder Calculation Examples
- Calculate Cylinder Radius
- Calculate Cylinder Diameter
- Calculate Cylinder Circumference of the Base
- Calculate Cylinder Base Area
- Calculate Cylinder Height
- Calculate Cylinder Volume
- Calculate Cylinder Lateral Surface Area
- Calculate Cylinder Total Surface Area
Size unit
Please select the appropriate unit of measurement to display the corresponding input fields and results. You can choose from mm, in, dm, m, and km.
Select the first cylinder property: Radius, diameter, circumference or base area
Please select one of the four properties (radius, diameter, circumference of the base, or area) and enter the value for it. The calculation of cylinders includes the calculation of the two base surfaces. In the example of a beverage can, the base and the lid form these base surfaces. For the circle calculation required here to calculate the circular cylinder base surfaces, it is sufficient if one of the four properties is known.
Select the second cylinder property: Height, volume or surface area
Please select one of the three properties height, volume or surface area and enter the value. After calculating the circular base area using radius, diameter, circumference of the base, or surface area, it is necessary to enter another property in order to calculate the cylinders surface area and subsequently all geometric properties of the cylinder. For a complete cylinder calculation, it is sufficient if one of the three properties height, volume or surface area is known.
Sketch
The sketch shows you the combination of the two selected cylinder properties. This gives you an idea of how the radius, diameter, circumference of the base, base area, height, volume and surface area of the cylinder are defined. The display changes as soon as you select another cylinder property.
The Radius of a Cylinder
The radius of the cylinder's circular base surface is the distance between the centre and the outer edge of this base surface. The cylinder radius thus describes the distance between the cylinder's centre axis and the surrounding lateral surface.
Definition of Cylinder Radius

The cylinder radius r, also known as the radius, is the distance between the cylinder's axis (i.e., the centre of the cylinder's base surface) and the curved surface.
Cylinder Diameter - Definition and Formula
Definition of Cylinder Diameter

The cylinder diameter d or ⌀ is the length of the connecting distance between two points on the circular line through the centre M of the cylinder base.
The diameter thus corresponds to the "thickness" of a cylinder.
Formula for Cylinder Diameter
The diameter d or ⌀ of the cylinder corresponds to its twofold radius r.
d = 2 × r
Cylinder Circumference - Definition and Formula
Definition of Circumference of the Cylinder Base

The circumference of the base C of a cylinder is the distance around the circular edge of the base of the cylinder.
Formula for Circumference of the Cylinder Base
The circumference of the base C of a cylinder is calculated by multiplying the cylinder diameter d by the number Pi (π = 3.1415...).
C = 2 × r × π = d × π
Cylinder Base Area - Definition and Formula
Definition of Cylinder Base Area

The base area B is the area enclosed by the cylinder surface. The base area of the cylinder is actually the area of a circle, since the base of the cylinder is a circle.
Formula for Cylinder Base Area
The base area B is calculated by multiplying the square of the cylinder radius by Pi (π = 3.1415...).
B = r² × π
The Height of a Cylinder
The height h of a cylinder corresponds to the distance between its two parallel base surfaces. Using the example of the beverage can, the cylinder height corresponds to the height of the can.
Definition of Cylinder Height

The height h of a cylinder corresponds to the distance between the two parallel cylinder bases.
Cylinder Volume - Definition and Formula
Definition of Cylinder Volume

The cylinder volume V describes the spatial expansion of a cylinder.
Formula for Cylinder Volume
The volume V of a cylinder is obtained by multiplying the base area B by the cylinder height h.
V = B × h
Cylinder Lateral Surface Area - Definition and Formula
Definition of Cylinder Lateral Surface Area

The development of the cylinder surface area LSA (Curved Surface Area or Lateral Surface Area) is a rectangle whose length and width correspond to the height h of the cylinder and the circumference of the base C of the cylinder.
Formula for Cylinder Lateral Surface Area
The lateral surface area LSA corresponds to the product of the cylinder height h and the cylinder circumference of the base C and is therefore calculated using the following formula.
LSA = h × C
Cylinder Total Surface Area - Definition and Formula
Definition of Cylinder Total Surface Area

The total surface area TSA of a cylinder is made up of twice the base area B and the lateral surface area LSA of the cylinder.
Formula for Cylinder Total Surface Area
The total surface area TSA of a cylinder is equal to twice the base area B plus the lateral surface area LSA.
TSA = 2 × B + LSA
How do you calculate the radius of a cylinder from its diameter?

Given a cylinder with a diameter d of 5 in. We are looking for the radius r of the cylinder.
Calculation
The cylinder radius r corresponds to half the diameter d, i.e., r = d / 2.
If the 5 in chosen in the example are used for the diameter d, the radius of the cylinder is r = 5 in / 2 = 2.5 in.
How do you calculate the radius of a cylinder from the circumference of the base?

Given a cylinder with a circumference of the base C of 15 in. We are looking for the radius r of the cylinder.
Calculation
The formula for the cylinder circumference of the base C is C = 2 × r × π. If we convert this formula to r, the radius r is equal to half the division of the circumference of the base divided by pi (π = 3.1415...), i.e., r = C / π / 2.
If we substitute the 15 in chosen in the example for the circumference of the base C, the radius of the cylinder is r = 15 in / π / 2 ≈ 2.39 in.
How do you calculate the radius of a cylinder from the base area?

Let a cylinder with a base area B of 20 in² be given. We are looking for the radius r of the cylinder.
Calculation
The general formula for the base area B is B = r² × π. If we convert this formula to r, the radius r corresponds to the square root of the result of the base area B divided by Pi (π = 3.1415...), i.e., r = B / π.
If the 20 in² chosen in the example are used for the base area B, the radius of the cylinder is r = 20 in² / π ≈ 2.52 in.
How do you calculate the diameter of a cylinder from the radius?

Let a cylinder with a radius r of 2.5 in be given. We are looking for the diameter d of the cylinder.
Calculation
The diameter d corresponds to twice the radius r, i.e., d = 2 × r.
If the 2.5 in chosen in the example is used for the radius r, the diameter of the cylinder is d = 2 × 2.5 in = 5 in.
How do you calculate the diameter of a cylinder from the circumference of the base?

Given is a cylinder with a circumference of the base C of 15 in. We are looking for the diameter d of the cylinder.
Calculation
The formula for the circumference of the base is C = d × π. If we convert this formula to d, the diameter d corresponds to the division of circumference of the base divided by pi (π = 3.1415...), thus d = C / π.
If the 15 in chosen in the example are used for the circumference of the base C, the diameter of the cylinder is d = 15 in / π ≈ 4.77 in.
How do you calculate the diameter of a cylinder from the base area?

Let a cylinder with a base area B of 20 in² be given. We are looking for the diameter d of the cylinder.
Calculation
The general formula for the base area B is B = r² × π. Since the diameter d corresponds to twice the radius r, the following formula applies: B = (d / 2)² × π. If we convert this formula to d, the diameter d is equal to twice the square root of the division of the base area B divided by Pi (π = 3.1415...), i.e., d = 2 × B / π.
Substituting the 20 in² chosen in the example for the base area B, the diameter of the cylinder is d = 2 × 20 in / π ≈ 5.05 in.
How do you calculate the circumference of the base of a cylinder from the radius?

Given a cylinder with a radius r of 2.5 in. We are looking for the cylinder circumference of the base C of the cylinder.
Calculation
The circumference of the base C corresponds to twice the radius r multiplied by the number Pi (π = 3.1415...), thus C = 2 × r × π.
If the 2.5 in chosen for the radius r in the example are used, the circumference of the base of the cylinder is C = 2 × 2.5 in × π ≈ 15.71 in.
How do you calculate the circumference of the base of a cylinder from its diameter?

Given a cylinder with a diameter d of 5 in. We are looking for the circumference of the base C of the cylinder.
Calculation
The circumference of the base C corresponds to the diameter d multiplied by the number Pi (π = 3.1415...), thus C = d × π.
Substituting the 5 in chosen in the example for the diameter d, the circumference of the base of the cylinder is C = 5 in × π ≈ 15.71 in.
How do you calculate the circumference of the base of a cylinder from the base area?

Let a cylinder with a base area B of 20 in² be given. We are looking for the circumference of the base C of the cylinder.
Calculation
The general formula for the base area B is B = r² × π.
Intermediate calculation radius
Using this formula, the radius r can now be calculated by converting the formula to r. The radius r then corresponds to the root of the result of the base area B divided by Pi (π = 3.1415...), i.e., r = G / π.
If we substitute the 20 in² chosen in the example for the base area B, the radius of the cylinder is r = 20 in / π ≈ 2.52 in.
Calculating the perimeter of the base
Using the radius calculated in this way, the general formula for calculating the circumference of the base can now be used: The circumference of the base C of the cylinder corresponds to twice the radius r multiplied by the number Pi (π = 3.1415...), i.e., C = 2 × r × π.
If we insert the previously calculated value for the radius r, the circumference of the base of the cylinder is C = 2 × 2.52 in × π ≈ 15.85 in.
How do you calculate the base area of a cylinder from the radius?

Let a cylinder with a radius r of 2.5 in be given. We are looking for the base area B of the cylinder.
Calculation
The base area B is equal to the square of the radius, i.e., r² multiplied by the number Pi (π = 3.1415...), and thus B = r² × π.
If we substitute the 2.5 in chosen in the example for the radius r, the base area of the cylinder is B = (2.5 in)² × π ≈ 19.63 in².
How do you calculate the base area of a cylinder from its diameter?

Given a cylinder with a diameter d of 5 in. We are looking for the base area B of the cylinder.
Calculation
The base area B is equal to half the diameter squared, i.e., (d / 2)² multiplied by the number Pi (π = 3.1415...), and thus B = (d / 2)² × π.
If we insert the 5 in chosen in the example for the diameter d, the base area B of the cylinder is B = (5 in / 2)² × π ≈ 19.63 in².
How do you calculate the base area of a cylinder from the circumference of the base?

Let a cylinder with a circumference of the base C of 15 in be given. We are looking for the base area B of the cylinder.
Calculation
The base area B is derived from the circumference, for example, by first determining the cylinder radius r based on the circumference of the base, because then you can use the common formula for the base area, namely B = r² × π.
Intermediate calculation of radius
So to calculate the radius first, you can rearrange the formula for the cylinder circumference of the base C = 2 × r × π to r, so that you get r = C / π / 2.
Substituting the 15 in chosen in the example for the circumference of the base C, the radius of the cylinder is r = 15 in / π / 2 ≈ 2.39 in.
Calculation of the base area
Finally, if we insert the value calculated here for the radius r, namely 2.39, into the general formula for the base area B = r² × π mentioned earlier, the base area of the cylinder is B = (2.39 in)² × π ≈ 17.90 in².
How do you calculate the height of a cylinder from its base area and volume?

Let a cylinder with a base area of 20 in² and a volume of 300 in³ be given. We are looking for the height h of the cylinder.
Calculation
The general formula for the volume V of a cylinder is V = B × h, where B is the base area and h is the height of the cylinder. If you convert this formula to h, you get h = V / B. The height h of a cylinder is therefore equal to the cylinder volume V divided by its base area B.
If the values chosen in the example for the volume V and the base area B are used, the height h is h = 300 in³ / 20 in² = 15 in.
How do you calculate the height of a cylinder from its base area and lateral surface area?

Given a cylinder with a base area of 20 in² and a lateral surface area of 200 in². We are looking for the height h of the cylinder.
Calculation
The rolled-up lateral surface (or curved surface) of a cylinder is a rectangle with the height of the cylinder and a width equal to the circumference of the cylinder. If you divide the given lateral surface area LSA by the cylinder circumference of the base C, you get its height. The formula for this is therefore h = LSA / C.
Intermediate calculation of circumference of the base
The circumference of the base C is obtained from the given base area because, first, B = r² × π applies. Using this formula, the radius r can now be first calculated by converting the formula to r. The radius r then corresponds to the root of the result of the base area B divided by Pi (π = 3.1415...). The radius r then corresponds to the root of the result of the base area B divided by Pi (π = 3.1415...), i.e., r = B / π.
If the value entered for the cylinder base area B is used, the radius of the cylinder is r = 20 in² / π ≈ 2.52 in.
With the radius calculated in this way, the general calculation formula for the cylinder circumference of the base can now be used: The circumference of the base C corresponds to twice the radius r multiplied by the number Pi (π = 3.1415...), thus C = 2 × r × π.
If we insert the previously calculated value for the radius r, the circumference of the base area and thus of the cylinder is C = 2 × 2.52 in × π ≈ 15.85 in.
Calculation of the height
Finally, the value entered for the lateral surface area LSA and the calculated circumference of the base C are substituted into the formula for the height mentioned earlier. Using h = LSA / C the cylinder height is therefore h = 200 in² / 15.85 in ≈ 12.62 in.
How do you calculate the volume of a cylinder from its base area and height?

Given a cylinder with a base area of 20 in² and a height of 15 in. We are looking for the volume V of the cylinder.
Calculation
The general formula for the volume V of a cylinder is V = B × h, where B is the base area and h is the height of the cylinder.
IIf we insert the values chosen in the example for the base area B and the height h, the volume V is therefore V = 20 in² × 15 in = 300 in³.
How do you calculate the volume of a cylinder from its base area and lateral surface area?

Given a cylinder with a base area of 20 in² and a lateral surface area of 250 in². We are looking for the height h of the cylinder.
Calculation
The general formula for the volume V of a cylinder is V = B × h, where B is the base area and h is the height of the cylinder. The base area B is given in the example. The height h of the cylinder can now be calculated using the given surface area:
The rolled-up lateral surface of a cylinder is a rectangle with the height of the cylinder and a width equal to the circumference of the cylinder base. If you divide the given lateral surface area LSA by the cylinder circumference of the base C, you get its height. The formula for this is therefore h = LSA / B.
Intermediate calculation of the circumference
The circumference of the base C is obtained from the given base area, because B = r² × π applies first. With the help of this formula, the radius r can now first be calculated by converting the formula to r. The radius r then corresponds to the root of the result of the base area B divided by Pi (π = 3.1415...), i.e., r = B / π.
Substituting the entered value for the cylinder base area B, the radius of the cylinder is r = 20 in² / π ≈ 2.52 in.
With the radius calculated in this way, the general calculation formula for the cylinder circumference of the base can now be used: The circumference of the base C is equal to twice the radius r multiplied by the number Pi (π = 3.1415...), thus C = 2 × r × π.
If we insert the previously calculated value for the radius r, the circumference of the base area and thus of the cylinder is C = 2 × 2.52 in × π ≈ 15.85 in.
Intermediate calculation of height
Finally, using the value entered for the lateral surface area LSA and the circumference of the base calculated above, the cylinder height h is therefore h = 250 in² / 15.85 in ≈ 15.77 in.
Calculation of the volume
The volume V of a cylinder, as mentioned earlier, finally corresponds to the product of the base area B and the height h of the cylinder, i.e., V = B × h.
Finally, if the values for the entered base area B and the height h just calculated from the given surface area are inserted here, the volume is therefore V = 20 in² × 15.77 in ≈ 315.39 in³.
How do you calculate the lateral surface area of a cylinder from its base area and height?

Given a cylinder with a base area of 20 in² and a height of 15 in. We are looking for the lateral surface area (LSA) of the cylinder.
Calculation
The rolled-up lateral surface area LSA of a cylinder is a rectangle with the height h of the cylinder and a width equal to the circumference of the base C of the cylinder. Therefore, the formula LSA = h × C applies.
Intermediate calculation of circumference of the base
The circumference of the base C is obtained on the basis of the given base area, because the following first applies: B = r² × π. Using this formula, the radius r can now be first calculated by converting the formula to r. The radius r then corresponds to the root of the result of the base area B divided by Pi (π = 3.1415...), i.e., r = B / π.
If we insert the entered value for the cylinder base area B, the radius of the cylinder is r = 20 in² / π ≈ 2.52 in.
With the radius calculated in this way, the general formula for calculating the circumference of the cylinder base can now be used: The circumference of the base C corresponds to twice the radius r multiplied by the number Pi (π = 3.1415...), thus C = 2 × r × π.
Substituting the previously calculated value for the radius r, the circumference of the base area and thus of the cylinder is C = 2 × 2.52 in × π ≈ 15.85 in.
Calculation of lateral surface area
If the values entered for the height h and the circumference of the base C calculated in this way are substituted, the lateral surface area LSA is finally LSA = 15 in × 15.85 in ≈ 237.80 in².
How do you calculate the lateral surface area of a cylinder from its base area and volume?

Given a cylinder with a base area of 20 in² and a volume of 300 in³. We are looking for the lateral surface area LSA of the cylinder.
Calculation
The rolled-up lateral surface area LSA of a cylinder is a rectangle with the height h of the cylinder and a width equal to the circumference of the base C of the cylinder. The lateral surface area LSA can be calculated using the formula LSA = h × C.
Intermediate calculation of the circumference of the base
The circumference of the base C is obtained from the given base area because, first, B = r² × π applies. Using this formula, the radius r can now be calculated first by rearranging the formula according to r. The radius r then corresponds to the root of the result of the base area B divided by Pi (π = 3.1415...), i.e., r = B / π.
Substituting the entered value for the cylinder base area B, the radius of the cylinder is r = 20 in² / π ≈ 2.52 in.
With the radius calculated in this way, the general formula for calculating the circumference of the cylinder base can now be used: The circumference of the base C corresponds to twice the radius r multiplied by the number Pi (π = 3.1415...), thus C = 2 × r × π.
Substituting the previously calculated value for the radius r, the circumference of the base area and thus of the cylinder is C = 2 × 2.52 in × π ≈ 15.85 in.
Intermediate calculation of height
The height h can be calculated for the given volume V and the given base area B using the following formula: h = V / B.
If we insert the given volume V and the base area B, the height is thus h = 300 in³ / 20 in² = 15 in.
Calculation of the lateral surface area
With the height h calculated in this way and the circumference of the base C of the cylinder already determined, the lateral surface area LSA can now be calculated using the formula LSA = h × C be calculated.
If we insert the calculated values for the height h and the circumference of the base C, the lateral surface area is LSA = 15 in × 15.85 in ≈ 237.80 in².
How do you calculate the total surface area of a cylinder from its base area and lateral surface area?

Given a cylinder with a base area of 20 in² and a lateral surface area of 200 in². We are looking for the total surface area (TSA) of the cylinder.
Calculation
The total surface area TSA is made up of twice the base area B and the lateral surface area LSA, i.e., LSA = 2 × B + CSA.
If we use the 20 in² chosen in the example for the base area B and 200 in² for the lateral surface area LSA, the total surface area TSA of the cylinder is therefore TSA = 2 × 20 in² + 200 in² = 240 in².
More online calculators
Circle Calculation, Triangle Calculator, Convert area units, Generate Random Numbers, Fraction Calculator, Time Unit Converter, Percent Calculator, Calculator, Convert Length Units
Source information
As source for the information in the 'Cylinder' category, we have used in particular:
Last update on March 14, 2023
The pages of the 'Cylinder' category were last editorially reviewed by Michael Mühl on March 14, 2023. They all correspond to the current status.
Previous changes on March 14, 2022
- 14.03.2023: Publication of the Cylinder Calculation together with the corresponding texts.
- Editorial revision of all texts in this category