How to use the calculator
Enter the cylinder's Base radius and Height, then choose one shared length unit. The calculator accepts trimmed decimal values greater than zero and rejects values above 1e12.
- Enter the distance from the center of the circular base to its edge in Base radius.
- Enter the perpendicular distance between the circular bases in Height.
- Choose Millimeters (mm), Centimeters (cm), Meters (m), Kilometers (km), Inches (in), Feet (ft), Yards (yd), or Miles (mi). The choice applies to both inputs.
- Select Calculate to display the measurements.
- Review Formula & steps to see the intermediate values. Select Copy result to copy the plain-text output or Download result (.txt) to save it as a
.txtfile. - Select Reset to clear both inputs, restore meters, clear errors, and hide the result.
What the result includes
After a successful calculation, the result shows Volume, Total surface area, Lateral surface area, and Base area (×1). Areas use the squared selected unit, while volume uses its cubed form. The result area stays hidden until the calculation succeeds; an invalid entry hides it and shows an error message.
Formulas and calculation model
For radius r and height h, the calculator uses:
- Base area:
A_base = pi * r^2 - Lateral surface area:
A_lateral = 2 * pi * r * h - Total surface area:
A_total = 2 * A_base + A_lateral = 2 * pi * r * (r + h) - Volume:
V = pi * r^2 * h
The script performs its internal work in meters, square meters, and cubic meters, then converts the displayed results back to the selected unit.
Input validation and output limitations
- Blank values, non-decimal formats, zero, negative values, and non-finite values are rejected.
- Radius and height values above
1e12are rejected. - The calculator also rejects a non-finite volume or total surface area.
- If copying fails, the interface displays: “Could not copy - select and copy manually.”
- Download result (.txt) creates a plain-text file.
Cylinder assumptions and unsupported cases
The calculator assumes a right circular cylinder: its two circular bases are identical, parallel, and directly above one another, with sides perpendicular to the bases. It does not handle oblique cylinders, hollow or tube cylinders, cones, spheres, wall thickness, material tolerance, measurement error, or certified professional calculations. The calculation itself runs locally in the browser from the values you enter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for the volume of a cylinder?
The volume of a right circular cylinder is V = pi * r^2 * h, where r is the base radius and h is the perpendicular height.
What is the formula for the surface area of a cylinder?
Total surface area is A = 2 * pi * r * (r + h), which equals the two circular base areas 2 * pi * r^2 plus the lateral surface area 2 * pi * r * h.
How is the lateral surface area of a cylinder calculated?
Lateral surface area is A_lateral = 2 * pi * r * h - the circumference of the base, 2 * pi * r, multiplied by the height, treating the curved side as an unrolled rectangle.
What units does this calculator support?
Millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers, inches, feet, yards, and miles. Areas are shown in the squared version and volume in the cubed version of the unit you choose.
Does this calculator work for oblique cylinders?
No. It assumes a right circular cylinder, where the two circular bases sit directly above one another and the sides are perpendicular to the bases. Oblique cylinders require a different geometric treatment.