How to use this calculator
- Enter bore diameter. The bore sets the full piston area used for push force.
- Enter rod diameter. The rod area is subtracted for pull/retract force.
- Enter pressure. Use the working pressure at the cylinder port.
- Read push and pull force. Compare output force, push force, pull force and rod-area differential.
How it works
Cylinder force follows one rule:
F = P · A
For push force, the working area is the piston area
A_p = pi·B²/4. For pull force, the rod area
A_r = pi·d²/4 is subtracted, so the working area is
A_p - A_r.
The calculator shows the rod-area differential as its own result because that is
the exact amount of force lost on the retract stroke. If you enter flow, it also
calculates speed from v = Q/A.
Worked example
Verified against the live calculator
A 50 mm bore and 22 mm rod at 160 bar gives about
31.4 kN push force and 25.3 kN pull force. The
6.08 kN difference is the rod-area differential, equal to pressure
times the rod area.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate cylinder force?
Cylinder force is pressure times area: F = P·A. For push/extend force, area is the full bore area. For pull/retract force in a double-acting cylinder, subtract the rod area.
Why is retract force lower than extend force?
The rod occupies part of the piston face on the rod side, so pressure acts on the annulus instead of the full bore. The difference is pressure times rod area.
Can this calculate pneumatic cylinder force?
The pressure-times-area idea is the same, but this page is tuned for hydraulic units and flow. For air consumption, use the pneumatic air consumption calculator.
What units can I use?
Use the SI/Imperial toggle in the header. The calculator converts bore, rod, pressure, flow and force units while keeping the same internal calculation.
Does this calculate required pressure from a target force?
This page calculates force from pressure. To work backwards, divide target force by the working area, then add margin for friction, pressure loss and safety factor.
Method & assumptions
- Hydraulic pressure is treated as gauge pressure at the cylinder port.
- Seal friction, port pressure losses and load dynamics are excluded.
- Rod buckling and mounting reaction forces require separate checks.