Pneumatic Cylinder Force
Enter bore diameter, rod diameter, and supply pressure to get the extend and retract force of a pneumatic cylinder.
Use the Pneumatic Cylinder Force
Cylinder Parameters
Inner diameter of the cylinder bore
Diameter of the piston rod
Air supply pressure at the cylinder port
Results
Enter values and click Calculate
Extend (Push) Force
Full bore area × pressure
Retract (Pull) Force
Annular area (bore² − rod²) × pressure
Area Breakdown
Summary
This calculator computes the extend (push) and retract (pull) force of a pneumatic cylinder using the bore diameter, rod diameter, and supply pressure. Push force equals pressure times the full bore area; pull force equals pressure times the annular area (bore area minus rod area). Results are shown in both pounds-force and kilonewtons.
How it works
- Enter the bore (cylinder inner) diameter.
- Enter the rod diameter.
- Enter the supply air pressure.
- Choose your unit system (PSI/inches or bar/mm).
- Push force = pressure × (π/4 × bore²). Pull force = pressure × (π/4 × (bore² − rod²)).
- Results update instantly as you type.
Use cases
- Size a pneumatic actuator for a clamping fixture.
- Verify a cylinder can overcome a load before purchasing.
- Compare push vs. pull stroke force for double-acting cylinders.
- Convert between PSI/lbf and bar/kN during design reviews.
- Calculate rod buckling safety by knowing actual force output.
- Spec replacement cylinders for existing pneumatic systems.