▥ • Reviewed 2026-11-05

Right Circular Cylinder Volume

Calculate a right cylinder whose axis is perpendicular to its two circular bases.

Quick answer

The short version

Multiply circular base area πr² by the distance h between the bases.

V = πr²h

Interactive tool

Calculate right cylinder

Values convert through SI units; displayed digits are rounded only at the end.

V = πr²h

r h
Result
—cm³

Complete the fields to calculate.

How the result changes

Calculated from the current dimensions
How the result changesComplete the calculator to display a graph.
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Checked example

Worked calculation

Result: A radius of 1.5 m and height of 4 m give 9π ≈ 28.2743 m³.

01 • Guide

What “right” means

Right describes the angle between the cylinder’s axis and base, not the direction it points. A can lying on its side remains a right circular cylinder because its ends are perpendicular to its central axis.

Keep the full precision of intermediate values and round only the final display. This avoids compounding error when a derived radius or converted unit is used in another step.

02 • Guide

Capacity and solid volume

Using interior dimensions estimates how much the shape can contain. Using exterior dimensions estimates the occupied envelope of a solid cylinder. Do not interchange them for thick-walled objects.

The calculator validates physical limits before displaying a result. Blank or impossible inputs never produce a stale value, NaN or Infinity.

03 • Guide

Formula confidence check

Doubling height doubles volume. Doubling radius multiplies volume by four. Those relationships are useful for catching an accidentally entered diameter or unit.

Interpretation

How to use the result responsibly

The answer models an ideal geometric cylinder. Manufacturing tolerances, wall thickness, rounded ends, deformation, tank tilt and measurement uncertainty can all shift a real value. Use inside dimensions for capacity and outside dimensions for occupied space. For safety, compliance, dosing, structural or purchasing decisions, compare the estimate with drawings, calibration data or a qualified professional.

Dimensional checks help catch mistakes: a volume result must carry cubic units, an area result square units and a derived radius or height linear units. If changing one unit alters the represented physical size, a conversion step was missed.

Clear answers

Right cylinder: common questions

Is a horizontal tank still a right cylinder?

Usually yes. Horizontal describes orientation; right describes the axis-to-base angle.

Does the slant height matter?

A right cylinder has no slant, while an oblique cylinder still uses perpendicular height for volume.

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