Cylinder Capacity Calculator - Calculator Academy

Enter the radius of the cylinder and the cylinder height into the calculator to determine the cylinder capacity.

Cylinder Capacity Formula

The following formula is used to calculate a cylinder’s capacity.

V = \pi r^2 h

Where V is the cylinder capacity (volume)
r is the internal radius of the cylinder
h is the internal height (or length) of the cylinder, measured along its axis

Cylinder Capacity Definition

What is a cylinder capacity?

Cylinder capacity, also known as tank capacity, is a measure of the internal volume of a cylinder or tank.

In other words, this is how much space is inside the cylinder that is available for storage.

Example Problem

How to calculate cylinder capacity?

The following example outlines the steps necessary to calculate the inside capacity of a cylinder.

First, determine the internal radius of the cylinder or tank. In this case, the radius is found to be 4 feet.

Next, determine the internal height (or length) of the cylinder. For this example, the height is measured to be 20 feet.

Finally, calculate the cylinder capacity using the formula above:

V = πr^2h

V = 3.14159*4^2*20

V = 1005.309 ft^3 (cubic feet)

FAQ

How do you convert cylinder capacity from cubic feet to liters?

To convert cylinder capacity from cubic feet to liters, multiply the capacity in cubic feet by 28.3168. For example, if the cylinder capacity is 1005.309 ft³, the conversion to liters is 1005.309 ft³ * 28.3168 ≈ 28,467.13 liters.

Can the cylinder capacity formula be used for cylinders of any orientation?

Yes. The total internal volume of a cylinder is the same regardless of orientation. Use V = πr^2h, where h is the internal length measured along the cylinder’s axis (the “height” if it is upright).

Is it possible to calculate the capacity of a partially filled cylinder?

Yes, but the method depends on the cylinder orientation. For a vertical cylinder (upright), the liquid volume is V = πr^2h_liquid, where h_liquid is the liquid height. For a horizontal cylinder, the cross-section is a circular segment, so the volume is not found by simply substituting the liquid depth into h; instead use V = L × A, where L is the cylinder length and A = r² arccos((r − d)/r) − (r − d)√(2rd − d²), with d = liquid depth.