3D · curved solid
Cylinder
A right circular cylinder has two parallel circular bases joined by a curved surface. Its volume is the base area multiplied by the perpendicular height.
RectangleChange a dimension to explore
A = w × hDimensions shown in the selected unit
Give your shape a size.
Use the same unit for every dimension. Changing the unit relabels the measurements; it does not convert them.
From dimensions to an answer
Know its properties
| Flat faces | 2 circular bases |
| Curved surfaces | 1 |
| Vertices | None |
| Unrolled lateral surface | A rectangle 2πr by h |
Useful formulas
Volume: V = πr²h
Total surface area: S = 2πr² + 2πrh
Lateral area: L = 2πrh
A little question. A clearer picture.
Cylinder: common questions
Wondering about the why? Start here.
How do I calculate the volume of a cylinder?
Multiply the area of the circular base by the perpendicular height: V = πr²h. A cylinder with radius 2 and height 5 has volume 20π cubic units. All lengths must use the same unit.
Read the volume formulasDoes cylinder surface area include the top and bottom?
Yes. Total surface area is 2πr² + 2πrh: two circular bases plus the curved side. For a container without a top, subtract one base area, πr², from the total shown.
Compare solid-shape calculators