Hydraulic Cylinder Calculations - Pneumatic and Hydraulic Company

Cylinder Blind End Area (in square inches)

Diameter (inches)

Formula: π x (Cylinder Radius)2 = square inches

Area (Square Inches)

Example: What is the area of a 6" diameter cylinder?

Cylinder Rod End Area (in square inches)

Cylinder Blind End Area (sq in)

Formula: Blind End Area - Rod Area = square inches

Rod Diameter (inches)

Example: What is the rod end area of a 6" diameter cylinder which has a 3" diameter rod?

Area (Square Inches

Cylinder Output Force (in pounds)

Pressure (PSI)

Formula: Pressure (in PSI) x Cylinder Rod End Area = Force in pounds

Cyl. Blind End Area (sq in)

Example: What is the pull force of a 6" diameter cylinder with a 3" diameter rod operating at 2,500 PSI?

Rod Diameter (inches)

Push Force (Pounds)

Fluid Pressure in PSI Required to Lift Load (in PSI)

Pounds of Force Needed

Formula: Pounds of Force Needed ÷ Cylinder Area = PSI

Cyl. Blind End Area (sq in)

Example: What pressure is needed to develop 50,000 pounds of push force from a 6" diameter cylinder?

Pressure Needed (PSI)

Pounds of Force Needed

Formula: Pounds of Force Needed ÷ Cylinder Area = PSI

Cyl. Rod End Area (sq in)

Example: What pressure is needed to develop 50,000 pounds of pull force from a 6" diameter cylinder which has a 3" diameter rod?

Pressure Needed (PSI)

Cylinder Speed (in inches per second)

Gallons per Minute (GPM)

Formula: (231 x GPM) ÷ (60 x Net Cylinder Area) = inches/second

Net Cylinder Area (sq in)

Example: How fast will a 6" diameter cylinder with a 3" diameter rod extend with 15 gpm input?

Speed (Inches / Second)

Gallons per Minute (GPM)

Formula: (231 x GPM) ÷ (60 x Net Cylinder Area) = inches/second

Net Cylinder Area (sq in)

Example: How fast will it retract?

Speed (Inches / Second)

GPM of Flow Needed for Cylinder Speed

Cylinder Area (sq in)

Formula: Cylinder Area x Stroke Length in Inches ÷ 231 x 60 ÷ Time in seconds for one stroke = GPM

Stroke Length (inches)

Example: How many GPM are needed to extend a 6" diameter cylinder 8 inches in 10 seconds?

Stroke Time (seconds)

Flow Needed (GPM)

Cylinder Area (sq in)

Formula: Cylinder Area x Stroke Length in Inches ÷ 231 x 60 ÷ Time in seconds for one stroke = GPM

Stroke Length (inches)

Example: If the cylinder has a 3" diameter rod, how many gpm is needed to retract 8 inches in 10 seconds?

Stroke Time (seconds)

Flow Needed (GPM)

Cylinder Blind End Output (GPM)

Blind End Area (sq in)

Formula: Blind End Area ÷ Rod End Area x GPM In = GPM Out

Rod End Area (sq in)

Example: How many GPM come out the blind end of a 6" diameter cylinder with a 3" diameter rod when there is 15 gallons per minute put in the rod end?

GPM Input

GPM Output (GPM)

*Pneumatic and Hydraulic Company, LLC assumes no liability for errors in data nor in safe and/or satisfactory operation of equipment designed from this information.