Pneumatic cylinders push and pull in factory automation. Their force depends on the air pressure and piston area; friction typically takes 5–15%.
How to use the Pneumatic Cylinder Force Calculator
- Cylinder type
- Air pressure (gauge)
- Bore diameter D
- Rod diameter d
- Friction loss (%)
- Spring force
Results update as you type, every field has its own unit menu, and everything is calculated in your browser.
How it works
Choose single- or double-acting, enter the pressure, bore, rod diameter, friction loss and (for single-acting) the spring force.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Cylinder type | Choose one: Single-acting (spring return), Double-acting |
| Air pressure (gauge) | Units: bar, psi, kPa, MPa |
| Bore diameter D | Units: mm, cm, m, in, µm |
| Rod diameter d | Units: mm, cm, m, in, µm |
| Friction loss (%) | A number |
| Spring force | Units: N, kN, MN, mN, lbf, kgf … |
Example values
How the main result changes when Air pressure changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Air pressure (gauge) (bar) | Extend force (N) |
|---|---|
| 3 | 530.1438 |
| 4.5 | 795.2156 |
| 6 | 1,060.2875 |
| 7.5 | 1,325.3594 |
| 9 | 1,590.4313 |
| 12 | 2,120.575 |
Formula
F_extend = P·π·D²/4·(1 − friction) − F_spring · F_retract = P·π·(D² − d²)/4·(1 − friction)
Worked example
Inputs — Cylinder type: Double-acting; Air pressure (gauge): 6 bar; Bore diameter D: 50 mm; Rod diameter d: 20 mm; Friction loss (%): 10.
Results — Extend force = 1,060.28752 N; Retract force = 890.64152 N.
Key terms
- Bore
- Inner diameter of the cylinder.
Frequently asked questions
What pressure do pneumatic systems use?
Typically 5–7 bar.
Why is retract force lower?
The rod reduces the piston area on that side.
How much should I oversize?
Use only 50–70% of the theoretical force for dynamic loads.
What is a single-acting cylinder?
Air pushes one way; a spring returns it.