Quiz: Cylinder Volume Liters Calculator

Enter a cylinder's radius, height, and unit to get its volume in liters, cubic centimeters, US gallons, and cubic meters using V = π × r² × h.

Quick Facts

Volume formula
V = π × r² × h
r = radius, h = height, using the same length unit.
Liters conversion
1 L = 1000 cm³ = 1000 mL
Divide the cubic-centimeter volume by 1000 to get liters.
Gallon conversion
1 US gal ≈ 3.7854 L
Divide liters by 3.785411784 to get US gallons.
Doubling the radius
Volume × 4
Volume scales with r², so doubling the radius quadruples volume, while doubling the height only doubles it.

Your Results

Calculated
Volume (Liters)
-
V(cm³) ÷ 1000
Volume (cm³)
-
V = π × r² × h
Volume (US Gallons)
-
Liters ÷ 3.785411784
Volume (Cubic Meters)
-
V(cm³) ÷ 1,000,000

Ready

Enter a radius and height, choose a unit, then press Calculate.

Formula and Method for Cylinder Volume in Liters

Volume of a Cylinder:

V = π × r² × h

r = radius; h = height

Liters = V(cm³) ÷ 1000

1 liter is defined as exactly 1000 cm³ (1 mL = 1 cm³)

A cylinder is a solid with two parallel, equal circular bases connected by a curved side. Its volume is the area of one circular base (π × r²) multiplied by the height between the bases: V = π × r² × h. Because tanks, bottles, and containers are almost always measured in liters or gallons rather than raw cubic centimeters, this calculator converts the geometric result into liters, US gallons, and cubic meters as well.

How the calculation works

Enter the radius (half the diameter) and the height, then choose the unit both measurements are in. The calculator converts both values to centimeters, squares the radius, multiplies by π and the height to get the volume in cubic centimeters (cm³), then divides by 1000 to get liters — because 1 liter is defined as exactly 1000 cm³. US gallons come from dividing liters by 3.785411784, and cubic meters from dividing cubic centimeters by 1,000,000.

Common mistakes

  • Radius vs. diameter: the formula uses radius, not diameter. If you only know the diameter, divide it by 2 before entering it — using the diameter as if it were the radius overstates the volume by a factor of four.
  • Forgetting the ÷1000 step: π × r² × h in centimeters gives cubic centimeters, not liters. Skipping the conversion overstates the liters figure by 1000×.
  • Mixed units: radius and height must be in the same unit before calculating — convert inches to centimeters, or feet to meters, first rather than mixing them.

Real-world applications

  • Sizing water tanks, drums, and cisterns, where capacity is almost always specified in liters or gallons.
  • Estimating how much liquid a cylindrical container — a bottle, can, pipe segment, or barrel — can hold.
  • Aquarium and pond volume for stocking density and dosing chemicals or treatments correctly.
  • Plumbing and engineering calculations for pipe segments and cylindrical vessels sized by diameter and length.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the formula for the volume of a cylinder in liters?
First find the volume in cubic centimeters with V = π × r² × h, using the radius and height in centimeters, then divide by 1000 to get liters, since 1 liter equals exactly 1000 cm³.
Should I enter the radius or the diameter?
Enter the radius, which is half the diameter. If you only know the diameter, divide it by 2 first — using the diameter directly in place of the radius would make the calculated volume four times too large.
How do I convert the answer to US gallons?
Divide the volume in liters by 3.785411784, since 1 US gallon equals 3.785411784 liters. This calculator performs that conversion automatically alongside the liters result.
How many liters are in a cylinder with a 5 cm radius and 20 cm height?
V = π × 5² × 20 ≈ 1570.8 cm³, and dividing by 1000 gives about 1.57 liters.

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