Compute the total surface area of a right circular cylinder in one click. Enter radius or diameter and height, choose units (mm, cm, m, in, ft), and get a definitive total on top plus a breakdown of lateral wrap and the two circular ends. The canvas labels d (blue), r (green), and h (red) so you can visually confirm dimensions before using results for coatings, labels, cladding, or coursework.

Cylinder Surface Area Calculator
Total Surface Area
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d r h
Additional Areas
Lateral area 2πrh
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Top + Bottom 2πr²
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Breakdown
Lateral
0%
Top + Bottom
0%
Lines show diameter (blue), radius (green), and height (red). Canvas height is constant; proportions change to match your inputs.
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How to use

  1. Pick input mode: Radius + Height or Diameter + Height.
  2. Enter values for r (or d) and h. Keep one unit system.
  3. Select Unit and desired Decimals.
  4. Press Calculate. Read the Total Surface Area card. Review the canvas (colored lines for d, r, h) and the area breakdown below.

Formulas

  • Lateral area: Alat = 2 π r h
  • Two ends: Aends = 2 π r2
  • Total area: Atotal = 2 π r (h + r)
  • From diameter: r = d / 2

Reference: Wolfram MathWorld: Cylinder.

Cylinder Surface Area Online Calculator

Lateral vs total area

Lateral is the curved side only (an unrolled rectangle of width 2 π r and height h). Total adds both circular ends. Use lateral for open tubes, add one circle for a single end, and use total for closed cylinders (cans, pressure vessels, silos).

Units and precision

  • Inputs may be mm, cm, m, in, or ft. Output is in squared units of your choice (mm², cm², m², in², ft²).
  • Increase decimals for paint, plating, and film coverage estimates; decrease for quick checks.

Worked example

Given d = 10 cm and h = 34 cm. Then r = 5 cm.

  • Alat = 2 π r h = 2 π (5) (34) = 340 π cm²
  • Aends = 2 π r2 = 2 π (25) = 50 π cm²
  • Atotal = 390 π cm² ≈ 1225.22 cm²

Common mistakes

  • Mixing radius and diameter. Entering d as r doubles r and quadruples end area.
  • Wrong height. Use the axial height, not a slant or external seam length.
  • Missing ends. Open cylinder: use only Alat. One lid: add π r2. Closed: use Atotal.
  • Unit mismatch. Keep all inputs in the same unit; the result returns as that unit squared.

Applications

  • Manufacturing: paint or powder-coat coverage, label wrap sizing, adhesive film area.
  • Construction: cladding sheets for columns, waterproofing membranes.
  • Packaging: printable area for cans and tubes.
  • Education: bridge between geometry formulas and physical measurements.

What is your case of using this tool? Would you like to have any other tools? Let us know in the comments!

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