Pneumatic Cylinder Force Calculator
Find the extend (push) and retract (pull) force of any pneumatic cylinder. Enter the bore diameter, rod diameter and supply pressure to get both forces in Newtons — instantly.
mm
mm
bar
Force when cylinder extends — pressure acts on the full bore area
1.87 kN
push force- 1
Bore area (mm²)
π × (31.5)² = 3,117.25Full piston face area; pressure acts on this during the extend stroke - 2
Pressure (Pa)
6 bar × 100 000 = 600,000 - 3
Push force (N)
600,000 × 3,117.25 × 10⁻⁶ = 1,870.3
How does this calculator work?
Push force = P × π(D/2)², pull force = P × π((D/2)² − (d/2)²). Enter bore diameter (mm), rod diameter (mm) and pressure (bar) to get extend and retract force in Newtons. Pull force is always lower because the rod reduces the active piston area.
Formula
How this is calculated
A pneumatic cylinder converts compressed-air pressure into linear force. When air acts on the piston's full bore face (extending stroke), the push force is F = P × A_bore, where A_bore = π(D/2)² and P is in Pascals (1 bar = 100 000 Pa). Areas are converted from mm² to m² (× 10⁻⁶), giving force in Newtons. During retraction the rod reduces the effective piston area to A_annular = π((D/2)² − (d/2)²), so the pull force is always less than the push force for the same pressure.
This is the theoretical gross output force. Real cylinders lose a few percent to seal friction — typically 5–15 % depending on seal type and pressure. Add a safety factor of 1.5–2× when sizing for a load. The formula assumes a double-acting cylinder (separate air supply and exhaust for each direction); for single-acting cylinders the retract stroke uses a return spring, not air pressure, so only the push formula applies.
Frequently asked questions
During retraction the piston rod occupies part of the bore face, reducing the area on which pressure can act. The force reduction is proportional to the rod cross-section: a rod covering 10 % of the bore area gives about 10 % less pull force.
Divide the required force by the supply pressure to get the minimum bore area needed, then choose the next standard bore size above that. Apply a safety factor of 1.5–2× to cover friction, back-pressure, and load variations.
Yes. The exhaust side has residual pressure that opposes the piston, reducing net force. This calculator gives gross force from supply pressure alone; subtract back-pressure × opposing area for the net force in precision applications.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Pneumatic Cylinder Force Calculator [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/pneumatic-cylinder-force-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Pneumatic Cylinder Force Calculator." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/pneumatic-cylinder-force-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Pneumatic Cylinder Force Calculator," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/pneumatic-cylinder-force-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_pneumatic_cylinder_force_calculator, title = {Pneumatic Cylinder Force Calculator}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/pneumatic-cylinder-force-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
Did this calculator help you?