These formulas are helpful for those working with hydraulic cylinders. We also provide hydraulic cylinder calculator tools for rod and telescopic cylinders.
Common Hydraulic Cylinder Formulas
| Extend Area (in²) | = | π * Bore Diameter (in)² 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Extend Volume (in³) | = | π * Bore Diameter (in)² * Stroke (in) 4 |
| Extend Time (sec) | = | Extend Volume (in³) * 60 Flow (gpm) * 231 |
| Extend Rate (in/sec) | = | Flow (gpm) * 231 Extend Area (in²) * 60 |
| Extend Force (lbs) | = | Extend Area (in²) * Pressure (psi) |
| Retract Area (in²) | = | π * (Bore Diameter (in)² – Rod Diameter (in)²) 4 |
| Retract Volume (in³) | = | π * (Bore Diameter (in)² ‐ Rod Diameter (in)²) * Stroke (in) 4 |
| Retract Time (sec) | = | Retract Volume (in³) * 60 Flow (gpm) * 231 |
| Retract Force (lbs) | = | Retract Area (in²) * Pressure (psi) |
| Retract Rate (in/sec) | = | Flow (gpm) * 231 Retract Area (in²) * 60 |
| Retract Rod Area (in²) | = | Rod Diameter (in)² * 0.7854 |
| Cylinder Ratio | = | Extend Area (in²) Retract Area (in²) |
| Flow out rod (gpm) | = | Flow in base (gpm) Cylinder Ratio |
| Flow out base (gpm) | = | Flow in rod (gpm) * Cylinder Ratio |
| Cycle Time (sec) | = | Extend time (sec) + Retract Time (sec) |
| Hydraulic Power (HP) | = | Pressure (psi) * Flow (gpm) 1714 |
