How to Calculate Cylinder Volume: 4 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

A cylinder is a simple geometric shape with two circular bases of equal size and parallel. To calculate the volume of a cylinder, you have to find the height (h), the radius (r), and calculate it in a simple formula: V = hπr².

Here's how to do it.

Step

Method 1 of 1: Calculating the Volume of a Cylinder

Step 1. Determine the base radius of the circle

Any circle is fine, because they are the same size. Once you've got the radius size, you can move on. If not, use a ruler to measure the widest part of the circle and then divide by 2. The result will be more accurate than measuring half the diameter. For example, the radius of the cylinder is 1 inch. Write it down.

• If you know the diameter of the circle, divide it by 2.
• If you know the perimeter, then divide by 2π for the radius.

Step 2. Calculate the area of the circular base

For this use the formula to find the area of a circle, A = r². Plug the radius into the equation. Here's how to do it:

• A = x 1² =
• A = x 1.
• Since the size of is about 3.14 three digits, it can be said that the size of the circular base area is 3.14 inches².

Step 3. Find the height of the cylinder

If you already know the height, move on. If not, use a ruler to measure it. Height is the distance between the edges of the two bases. Let's say the height of the cylinder is 4 inches. Write it down.

Step 4. Multiply the base area by the height

You can think of the volume of a cylinder, because the volume of the base area extends over the entire height of the cylinder. Because you know that the base area is 3.14 inches² and the height is 4 inches, so multiply those numbers for the cylinder volume. 3.14 inches² x 4 inches = 12.56 inches³. Here is your final answer.

Always state the final answer in cubic units because volume is a measure of three-dimensional space

Tips

• Create some practice questions so you can answer the real questions later.
• Once you've calculated the area of the circle, consider multiplying it by the height of the stack. In other words, you're basically stacking the base circle until it reaches the height of the can, and since you've calculated the area, it equals the volume.
• Remember that the diameter is the link between the two widest points on a circle or circumference, that is, the largest measurement obtained between two points on the circumference or on the inner circle. So make the edge of the circle meet the zero mark on the ruler/flexible tape and the largest measurement you can get without losing contact with the zero, that's the diameter.
• It may be easier to measure the diameter and divide by 2 to get an accurate radius without needing to find the exact center.
• Make sure you have accurate measurements.
• It's easier to calculate it with a calculator.