Use the free Air Cylinder Force Calculator on ToolVexa to estimate the push force of an air cylinder from its bore diameter and air pressure.
How to Use
Enter the bore diameter in inches and the air pressure in psi, then press Calculate.
Formula in Plain Words
First find the piston area: pi times half the bore, squared. Then multiply the area by the pressure to get force, since force equals pressure times area.
Worked Example
With a 2-inch bore and 100 psi, the piston area is 3.14 square inches and the estimated force is 314.2 pounds-force.
FAQs
Is this the force in both directions?
No. This is the push force on the full piston area; the pull force is lower because the rod takes up area.
Does this allow for friction?
No. Real cylinders lose some force to seal friction, so treat this as a theoretical maximum.
What units does it use?
Inches for bore and psi for pressure, giving force in pounds-force.