Enter the radius and height of the drum into the calculator to determine the drum’s internal volume (geometric capacity). This calculator can also evaluate any of the variables given the others are known.

Drum Capacity (Volume) Calculator

Enter any 2 values to calculate the missing variable

Related Calculators

Drum Capacity Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the drum’s internal volume (geometric capacity).

V = π * r² * h

Variables:

  • V is the drum volume (e.g., cm³, m³, in³, ft³, or liters after conversion)
  • π is a constant, approximately equal to 3.14159
  • r is the radius of the drum (any length unit; use the same unit as h)
  • h is the height (length) of the drum (any length unit; use the same unit as r)

To calculate the drum volume, multiply the square of the radius of the drum by the constant π, then multiply the result by the height of the drum. If r and h are measured in centimeters, the result will be in cubic centimeters (cm³), which can be converted to liters (1 L = 1000 cm³) or other volume units. Note: the “kg capacity” stated on washing machines/dryers is a rated laundry load mass based on standardized tests and practical performance limits; it cannot be reliably converted from drum dimensions using a single density.

What is a Drum Capacity?

In a geometric sense, drum capacity refers to the internal volume of a (usually cylindrical) drum—how much space is inside it. In laundry appliance specifications, however, “capacity” is commonly listed in kilograms (kg), which refers to the rated maximum mass of dry laundry the machine is designed to handle in one cycle. This calculator estimates the drum’s internal volume from its dimensions.

How to Calculate Drum Capacity?

The following steps outline how to calculate the drum’s internal volume (geometric capacity).

  1. First, determine the radius of the drum (r).
  2. Next, determine the height (length) of the drum (h).
  3. Next, gather the formula from above: V = π * r² * h.
  4. Finally, calculate the drum volume (V) and convert to your desired volume unit (e.g., liters).
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

radius of the drum (r) = 10 cm

height of the drum (h) = 20 cm

Then V = π × (10 cm)² × (20 cm) = 2000π cm³ ≈ 6283.19 cm³ ≈ 6.283 L.