How to Find Volume of a Cylinder

From a soda can to a water bottle, and a toilet paper roll, we use cylindrical objects for different purposes in our daily life. Have you ever thought about how to find volume of a cylinder? It is easy to find the volume of any cylindrical object using the right formula. 

In this blog, you will learn what a cylinder is and how to calculate the volume of the cylinder. 

What is a Cylinder 

A cylinder is a 3-dimensional solid shape composed of a curved surface and two parallel bases. The bases of a cylinder are similar to a circular disk. The curved shape around is the same throughout the shape. 

Volume of a Cylinder

The capacity of a cylinder to hold a specific amount of material inside is known as the volume of a cylinder. In simple terms, it can be understood as the space occupied by a cylindrical solid object. The cylinder is a three-dimensional object, therefore, it can hold any object inside. 

The volume of a cylinder is measured in cubic units, i.e., m3, cm3, in3.

Steps of Finding the Volume of Cylinder 

The volume of a cylinder can be found by following easy steps. Here are the steps to help you on how do you calculate the volume of a cylinder.

• Identify the type of cylinder you want to find the volume.
• Figure out the formula of the volume of a specific cylinder. 
• Consider which dimensions are given and what to find. 
• Put the value in the respective formula.
• Write the unit such as cm³, m3, and ft3

How to Calculate the Volume of the Cylinder 

A cylinder is a three-dimensional object. Based on the shape and structure, cylinders are divided into several categories. Here you will learn how to calculate the volume of the cylinder having different shapes and structures (distorted). 

Oblique Cylinder 

An oblique cylinder is a type of cylinder in which the sides are not perpendicular to the base but lean over the base as shown in the figure below. 

The formula to find the volume of an oblique cylinder is given as follows;

Where, 

• r is the radius of the base of the cylinder 
•  h is the height of the cylinder.
• π=3.14

For example: 

Find the volume of an oblique cylinder that has a radius of 3 cm and a height of 8 cm. 

As we know;

By putting values in the formula we get

V = 226.06cm3

Right Circular Cylinder

A right circular cylinder is a cylinder in which the curved sides are perpendicular to the parallel circular bases. 

A formula to find the volume of a right circular cylinder is

In which, 

• r is the radius of the base of the cylinder 
•  h is the height of the cylinder.
• π=3.14

Example:    

Calculate the volume of a right circular cylinder which has a radius of 5 inches and a height of 10 inches. 

A formula to find the volume of a right circular cylinder is given as;

Elliptic Cylinder

An elliptic cylinder is a kind of cylinder that has elliptical bases instead of circular bases. The curved surface of the cylinder is perpendicular to the elliptical bases.

The formula to find the volume of an elliptical cylinder is:

  V = πabh

Where, 

• a and b are the radii of the elliptical bases.
• h is the height of the cylinder.
• π=3.14

Example:

A cylinder has radii of 4 cm and 3 cm and the height of that cylinder is 7. Find the volume.

The statement shows that the cylinder has two radii. So it is an elliptic cylinder. We will apply the elliptic cylinder formula. 

So, we learned how to find volume of a cylinder in easy steps. You can practice the related problems to fortify your understanding. Our tutors can help you learn the mathematical concepts in a fun way.