Surface Area of a Cylinder Calculator

This calculator finds the surface area of a right circular cylinder when the radius (or diameter) and height are known.

1. Select the type of cylinder you want: closed, open or a tube (default is closed).
2. Select if you want to use the radius or diameter (default is radius).
3. For the value, you can choose a whole number, decimal or fraction.
   • You can type a fraction by typing the numerator then '/' then the denominator.
   • You can type a mixed number by typing the whole-number part, then a space then the fraction part.
   • Examples: 2 1/2 (two and one-half); 3 4/5 (three and four-fifths); 7 1/3 (seven and one-third).
4. Choose your units of measurement (default is none)
5. Choose your desired accuracy (default is 2 decimal places)
6. Click the Find Area button
7. You will be given two answers for the area, one in terms of Pi (π) and the other answer as a decimal value.

There are many different types of cylinders, including right cylinders, oblique cylinders and elliptic cylinders.

The cylinders that are most common, and that we use for our calculators, are right circular cylinders which is a prism with two parallel circular bases on both ends as shown above.

Open and Closed Cylinders

As well as different types of cylinders, there are also categories of cylinder within each type: open and closed cylinders

A closed cylinder has two parallel circular bases as well as the curved surface.

An open-top cylinder has one circular base and a curved surface but no top.

An open cylinder is just a tube which has a curved surface with no top or bottom surface.

We have a page dedicated to understanding all about the surface area of cylinders.

There is a selection of worked examples, explanations and worksheets.

If you would like to know more about how to find the surface area of a cylinder, use the link below!

This calculator will take the radius or diameter and height measurements and find the volume of the cylinder.

The volume of a pipe calculator will find the volume of different pipes and give the answer in liters, gallons, or fluid ounces, as well as cm³, m³

We have a range of area and volume calculators to help you find the area and volumes of a range of different 2d and 3d shapes.

Each calculator page comes with worked examples, formulas and practice worksheets.

We have a range of other area worksheets and support pages for a range of different 2d shapes.

We have a wide range of free math calculators to help you.

Most of our calculators show you their working out so that you can see exactly what they have done to get the answer.

Our calculator hub page contains links to all of our calculators!

The Math Salamanders hope you enjoy using these free printable Math worksheets and all our other Math games and resources.

We welcome any comments about our site or worksheets on the Facebook comments box at the bottom of every page.