mechanical calculator
Hydraulic Cylinder Force Calculator
Calculate the push or pull force of a hydraulic cylinder from its bore, rod diameter, and operating pressure.
How it works
Extend: F = P x (pi/4 x bore^2). Retract: F = P x (pi/4 x (bore^2 - rod^2)).
Worked example
3 in bore, 2,000 psi, extend: area = 7.07 in^2, F = 2,000 x 7.07 = 14,137 lbf.
When to use it
- Retract force is lower because the rod reduces the effective piston area.
- Rod diameter only matters for the retract stroke.