Hydraulic Force Calculator

How it works

1. 1Enter the fluid pressure in bar (or psi) and the piston diameter in mm (or in).
2. 2The calculator computes the piston area A = π/4 × d², then applies F = P × A.
3. 3Results are shown in kN and N (or lbf), with the piston area in cm².

Use cases

• Selecting a cylinder for a press, clamp, or lifting application.
• Verifying a hydraulic system produces sufficient clamping or forming force.
• Converting between bar/psi pressures and kN/lbf forces during machine design.

Frequently asked questions

What formula does the calculator use?

Pascal’s law F = P × A, with A = π/4 × d². 150 bar on a 63 mm piston gives A ≈ 31.2 cm² and F ≈ 46.8 kN.

Does rod diameter affect the result?

On the push (cap-end) stroke, only the full bore matters. On the pull (rod-end) stroke the effective area is reduced by the rod — use the net annular area.

What system pressure should I use?

Industrial hydraulics typically run at 100–350 bar (1450–5000 psi). Higher pressure allows smaller cylinders but needs stronger seals. Apply a safety factor.