How to Calculate the Volume of a Cylinder

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

A cylinder is a simple geometric shape with two equally-sized and parallel circular bases. Calculating the volume of a cylinder is simple once you know the formula. [1]

Help Finding the Volume of a Cylinder

Method 1
Method 1 of 1:

Calculating the Volume of a Cylinder

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid307128-v4-728px-Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Find the radius of the circular base. [2] Either circle will do since they are the same size. If you already know the radius, you can move on. If you don't know the radius, then you can use a ruler to measure the widest part of the circle and then divide it by 2. This will be more accurate than trying to measure half of the diameter. Let's say that the radius of this cylinder is 1 inch (2.5 cm). Write it down.
    • If you know the diameter of the circle, just divide it by 2. [3]
    • If you know the circumference, then you can divide it by 2π to get the radius. [4]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/aid307128-v4-728px-Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Calculate the area of the circular base . [5] To do this, just use the formula for finding the area of a circle, A = πr 2 . [6] Just plug the radius you found into the equation. Here's how to do it:
    • A = π x 1 2
    • A = π x 1
    • A = π
    • Since π is normally rounded to 3.14, you can say that the area of the circular base is 3.14 in. 2
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/aid307128-v4-728px-Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [7] If you know the height already, move on. If not, use a ruler to measure it. The height is the distance between the edges of the two bases. Let's say the height of the cylinder is 4 inches (10.2 cm). Write it down.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/aid307128-v4-728px-Calculate-the-Volume-of-a-Cylinder-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Multiply the area of the base by the height. [8] You can think of the volume of the cylinder as the area of the base being extended throughout the height of the cylinder. Since you know that the area of the base is 3.14 in. 2 and that the height is 4 in., you can just multiply the two together to get the volume of the cylinder. 3.14 in. 2 x 4 in. = 12.56 in. 3 This is your final answer. [9]
    • Always state your final answer in cubic units because volume is the measure of a three-dimensional space. [10]
    5. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I calculate the length of the radius?
    Community Answer
    The radius is half of the diameter. If you know the diameter, just divide that by two to find the radius.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 151 Helpful 313
  • Question
    How can I find a cylinder's volume when I know height and diameter?
    Community Answer
    Calculate the area of the base (which is a circle) by using the equation πr² where r is the radius of the circle. Then, multiply the area of the base by the height of the cylinder to find the volume.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 204 Helpful 356
  • Question
    How do I calculate the volume of a water tank?
    Community Answer
    Measure the tank and calculate the volume like a normal cylinder. If it's irregularly shaped, just fill it with water until it's full, and however much water you filled it is its volume.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 231 Helpful 309
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Remember the diameter is the biggest chord in a circle or in a circumference, i.e. the biggest measurement you can get between two points in a circumference or in the circle within. The edge of the circle should meet the zero mark in your ruler/flex tape, and the biggest measurement you obtain without losing contact with your zero mark will be the diameter. [11]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Make up a few problems to practice so you know that you will get it right when you try it for real.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
      • The volume of a cylinder is given by the formula V = πr 2 h, and π is about the equivalent of 22/7 or 3.14.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • To approximate the area of a circle, square its diameter, then multiply that by .7854. It's not precise, but it helps in a pinch.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Find the Mode of a Set of Numbers
      How to
      Multiply Using the Line Method
      How to
      Calculate the Volume of a Sphere
      How to
      Find the Volume of a Cone
      How to
      Find the Volume of an Irregular Object Using a Graduated Cylinder
      How to
      Calculate the Volume of a Triangular Prism: Formulas & Examples
      How to
      Find the Volume of Basic Shapes
      How to
      Find the Volume of a Cube from a Side, Surface Area, or Diagonals
      How to
      Calculate the Volume of a Rectangular Prism
      How to
      Calculate Volume of a Box
      How to
      Calculate the Volume of an Irregular Object
      How to
      Find Density
      How to
      Calculate CBM
      How to
      Calculate the Volume of a Pyramid
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mathsisfun.com/definitions/cylinder.html
      2. ↑ Grace Imson, MA. Math Instructor, City College of San Francisco. Expert Interview. 1 November 2019.
      3. ↑ https://www.mathsisfun.com/definitions/radius.html
      4. ↑ https://www.mathsisfun.com/definitions/pi.html
      5. ↑ Grace Imson, MA. Math Instructor, City College of San Francisco. Expert Interview. 1 November 2019.
      6. ↑ https://www.khanacademy.org/math/basic-geo/basic-geo-area-and-perimeter/area-circumference-circle/v/area-of-a-circle
      7. ↑ Grace Imson, MA. Math Instructor, City College of San Francisco. Expert Interview. 1 November 2019.
      8. ↑ Grace Imson, MA. Math Instructor, City College of San Francisco. Expert Interview. 1 November 2019.
      9. ↑ https://www.mathopenref.com/cylindervolume.html
      1. ↑ https://www.mathsisfun.com/definitions/volume.html
      2. ↑ https://www.cut-the-knot.org/pythagoras/Munching/DiameterChord.shtml

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Measure the circular base to get the diameter.
      2. Divide the diameter by 2 to get the radius.
      3. Calculate the area with the formula: A = πr^2, where r is the radius.
      4. Measure the height of the cylinder.
      5. Multiply the area by the height to get the Volume.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 4,035,668 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        May 10, 2023

        "It helped me understand how to find the volume and surface area of a cylinder. This is helpful to me because my ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement