Cylinder Surface Area Calculator

Work out cylinder surface area instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Cylinder Surface Area Calculator

The curved wall of a cylinder unrolls to a 2πr by h rectangle. Adding the two circular ends gives the closed total 2πr² + 2πrh = 2πr(r + h); an open tube omits one or both ends.

Formulas

Closed cylinder

S = 2πr² + 2πrh = 2πr(r + h)

Open tube

S = 2πrh

Worked example

With the default values below, Cylinder Surface Area Calculator returns Surface area as configured of 245.0442. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Base radiusminimum 0: 3
Heightminimum 0: 10
Endsone of Closed both ends, Open one end, Open both ends (tube): Closed both ends

Results

Surface area as configured: 245.0442
Curved area: 188.4956
One circular end: 28.2743
Fully closed total 2πr(r+h): 245.0442

Step by step

1Values used
2Closed cylinder
3Open tube
4Surface area as configured= 245.0442
5Curved area= 188.4956
6One circular end= 28.2743
7Fully closed total 2πr(r+h)= 245.0442

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a paint estimate use only the lateral area?

Because a tank standing on the ground exposes just the curved wall and the top, not the base it rests on.

Radius 3, height 10, closed?

2π × 3 × 13 = 78π ≈ 245.044227 square units.