Last updated on June 24th, 2025
The volume of the cylinder is the capacity of the material it holds. A cylinder is a three-dimensional shape that has a circular base. In this topic, we will learn more about the volume of cylinders with solved examples for better understanding.
The volume of the cylinder is the space it occupies. It can be calculated by using the formula
V = ℼr2h.
Here, r is the radius of the circular base.
h is the height of the cylinder.
ℼ is approximately 3.14159.
In real life, the cylinder volume is used in geometry, engineering, etc.
We use the following ways to find the volume of the cylinder.
By substituting the values of height and radius of the given cylinder in the formula V = ℼr2h, we can find the volume of the cylinder.
Example: Find the volume of a cylinder with a radius 5 cm and height 10 cm.
Given, radius (r) = 5
Height (h) = 10
Using the formula, V = ℼr2h
V = 3.14159 × 52 × 10
= 3.14159 × 25 × 10
= 785.4
When the diameter of the cylinder is given instead of the radius, we need to change the formula to r = d/2.
Therefore, the formula becomes V = ℼ(d/2)2h.
Let’s see this using a simple example, find the volume of a cylinder with a diameter 8 cm and height of 12 cm.
Here, diameter = 8 cm.
height = 12 cm.
Using the formula, V = ℼ(d/2)2h
V = 3.14159 × (8/2)2 × 12
= 3.14159 × 42 × 12
= 3.14159 × 16 × 12
= 603.2
To find the volume of a cylinder with the slant height first, we need to find the height using the Pythagorean theorem, and then we use the formula, V = ℼr2h.
For example, find the cylinder volume with a slant height of 13 cm and a radius of 5cm.
For finding the height using Pythagorean theorem, h = √l2 - r2
= √132 - 52
= √169 - 25
= √144
= 12
Now for finding the volume, V = ℼr2h
= 3.14159 × 52 × 12
= 3.14159 × 25 × 12
= 942.48
The volume of the cylinder formula was derived by clearly understanding how much space the cylinder occupies. The volume of the cylinder can be calculated by using the volume formula. The following step-by-step explanation allows kids to understand how the formula is derived.
Step 1: Understanding shape
The cylinder is like a stack of many discs placed on the top of the other. The volume of the cylinder is multiplied by the total area of the base with the height (number of discs stacked).
Step 2: Find the area of the base
The base of a cylinder is circular. Therefore, the area of the circle is given as,
Area of base = ℼr2.
Step 3: Multiplying the base with height
To get the total volume of cylinder, we need to multiply the area of base with height of the cylinder
Volume = Area of Base × Height.
V = ℼr2 × h.
Step 4: Final Formula
The final formula is written as:
V = ℼr2h.
To find the volume of the cylinder, the following steps are used.
Step 1: Understanding the formula
The volume of a cylinder is: V = ℼr2h.
Here, V = volume of the cylinder
r = Radius of the base.
h = Height of the cylinder
ℼ is approximately 3.14
Step 2: Measuring the height and radius of the cylinder
Measure the radius of the base and the height of the cylinder.
Step 3: Use the formula
Apply the height and radius values and calculate, we will get the volume of a cylinder.
Understanding and learning the volume of a cylinder feels difficult for kids, but by using the tips and tricks below, kids can easily understand it.
Making mistakes in calculations is common for kids, by using the following mistakes and the ways to avoid them can help them to avoid those mistakes
Find the volume of cylinder with radius 8 cm and height 18 cm.
3619.2 cm3.
Given, radius (r) = 8
Height (h) = 18
Using the formula, V = ℼr2h
V = 3.14159 × 82 × 18
= 3.14159 × 64 × 18
= 3619.2 cm3.
A cylinder has a diameter of 10 cm and a height of 12 cm. What is the volume?
942 cm3.
Here, diameter = 10 cm.
Height = 12 cm.
Using the formula, V = ℼ(d/2)2h
V = 3.14159 × (10/2)2 × 12
= 3.14159 × 52 × 12
= 3.14159 × 25 × 12
= 942 cm3.
The volume of a cylinder is 314 cm3, and the radius is 5 cm. Find the height.
4 cm.
The formula for cylinder is V = ℼr2h.
Here, V = 314
r = 5
V = ℼr2h
Vℼr2 = h
= 314/3.14 × 5 × 5
= 314/78.5
= 4 cm.
A water tank is cylindrical that has radius of 2 m and a height of 3 m. How much water can it hold?
37680 liters of water.
First we will use the volume formula and find the volume of water tank, and then we will convert it to liters so, we can find the total liters of water it holds.
The formula for volume is V = ℼr2h
Here, radius = 2
height = 3
V = ℼr2h
= 3.14 × 22 × 3
= 3.14 × 4 × 3
= 37.68 m3.
Now converting the m3 to liters, that is 1 cubic meter = 1000 liters.
Volume in liters = 37.68 × 1000 = 37680 liters.