🛢️ Cylinder Surface Area Calculator
Calculate Total & Lateral Surface Area
Perfect for pipes, cans, tanks & columns
Cylinder Surface Area Calculator
⭕ Enter Radius & Height
📊 Surface Area Components
📊 Calculation Steps
Cylinder Surface Area Formulas
Total Surface Area
Where r = radius, h = height
Lateral (Curved) Surface Area
Area of the curved side only (like unrolled rectangle)
Base Area
Each base is a circle with area πr²
Volume
Hollow Cylinder
R = outer radius, r = inner radius
Understanding Cylinder Components
| Component | Shape | Formula | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lateral Surface | Rectangle (when unrolled) | 2πrh = circumference × height | 1 |
| Top Base | Circle | πr² | 1 |
| Bottom Base | Circle | πr² | 1 |
Types of Cylinders
| Type | Description | Surface Area Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Closed Cylinder | Both ends closed (can, tank) | 2πr(r + h) |
| Open One End | One end open (cup, bucket) | 2πrh + πr² |
| Open Both Ends | No ends (pipe, tube) | 2πrh |
| Hollow Cylinder | Pipe with thickness | 2π(R + r)(h + R - r) |
How to Calculate Cylinder Surface Area
- Measure the radius — Find the distance from center to edge of the circular base.
- Measure the height — Find the length of the cylinder (distance between bases).
- Calculate lateral area — Use 2πrh (circumference × height).
- Calculate base areas — Use 2πr² (two circles, πr² each).
- Add together — Total SA = 2πrh + 2πr² = 2πr(r + h).
Educational Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Surface area of a cylinder is the total area of all its surfaces: the curved lateral surface plus the two circular bases. Formula: SA = 2πr(r + h) or SA = 2πrh + 2πr².
Lateral surface area (LSA) = curved side only = 2πrh. Total surface area (TSA) = curved side + both bases = 2πrh + 2πr². The difference is the two circular ends.
Use LSA = 2πrh, where r = radius and h = height. This equals the circumference (2πr) multiplied by the height. Think of it as unrolling the cylinder into a rectangle.
Curved surface area (CSA) is the same as lateral surface area: CSA = 2πrh. This is the area if you peel off and flatten the curved part — it forms a rectangle of width 2πr and height h.
First convert diameter to radius: r = d/2. Then use the standard formula: SA = 2πr(r + h). Or substitute directly: SA = πd(d/2 + h).
A hollow cylinder (like a pipe or tube) has an outer radius (R) and inner radius (r), creating a wall thickness. Its surface area includes outer curved surface, inner curved surface, and the ring-shaped ends.
π (pi) is the ratio of circumference to diameter, approximately 3.14159. For calculations, use π ≈ 3.14 for estimates, or the full value (3.14159265...) for precision. This calculator uses the full value.
Cylinders are everywhere: cans, pipes, tanks, pillars, batteries, drums, glasses, rolls of paper, and engine cylinders. Surface area helps calculate material needed.
For a half cylinder (semicircular cross-section): SA = πrh + πr² + 2rh. This includes curved surface (πrh), semicircular ends (πr²), and the rectangular flat side (2rh).
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Last Updated: January 2026
