Volume of cylinders

Given the radius or r and height or h, the volume of cylinders can be found by using the formula:
Volume of a cylinder
Volume of a cylinder = area of base × height = π × r2× h and you can use 3.14 for π.

Notice that the base of the cylinder is a circle and the formula to get the area of a circle is π × r2

Some examples showing how to find the volume of cylinders


Example #1:

Calculate the volume of a cylinder if r = 2 cm and h = 5 cm

Volume of the cylinder = π × r2× h

Volume of the cylinder = 3.14 × 22× 5

Volume of the cylinder = 3.14 × 4 × 5

Volume of the cylinder = 3.14 × 20

Volume of the cylinder = 62.8 cm3

Example #2:

Calculate the volume of a cylinder if r = 4 inches and h = 8 inches

Volume of the cylinder = π × r2× h

Volume of the cylinder = 3.14 × 42× 8

Volume of the cylinder = 3.14 × 16 × 8

Volume of the cylinder = 3.14 × 128

Volume of the cylinder = 401.92 inches3

Example #3:

Calculate the volume of a cylinder if r = 2.5 cm and h = 4.5 cm

Volume of the cylinder = π × r2× h

Volume of the cylinder = 3.14 × (2.5)2× 4.5

Volume of the cylinder = 3.14 × 6.25 × 4.5

Volume of the cylinder = 3.14 × 26.5625

Volume of the cylinder = 83.40625 cm3

Example #4:

A cylindrical carton is used as a container to put oatmeal before selling it to customers. The diameter of the base of the carton is 10 centimeters and the height of the carton is 18 centimeters.

Calculate the volume of a cylindrical carton. Express the answer in terms of π.

First, find the radius of the base.

Radius = diameter/2 = 10/5 = 5

Volume of the cylindrical carton = π × r2× h

Volume of the cylindrical carton = π × 52× 18

Volume of the cylindrical carton = π × 25 × 18

Volume of the cylindrical carton = π × 450

Volume of the cylindrical carton = 450π cm3


Buy a comprehensive geometric formulas ebook. All geometric formulas are explained with well selected word problems so you can master geometry.

Geometry ebook