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Tube Volume Calculator

Calculate the material volume, inner capacity, and surface area of a tube (hollow cylinder) from its radii and length.

Outer radius (R)

Inner radius (r)

Length (L)

Enter the outer radius, inner radius, and length — material volume, capacity, and surfaces update instantly. Use inner radius 0 for a solid rod.

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Everyday Uses

Plumbing projects

Work out how much water a pipe run holds — useful for draining, priming, or sizing a heating loop.

Material estimates

Calculate the metal or PVC volume in tubing to estimate weight and cost before ordering.

Garden and pond setups

Size hoses and pipework for irrigation or a pond pump by knowing the volume they hold.

DIY and crafts

From candle molds to concrete sleeves, find how much material fills the gap between two cylinders.

Gas cylinder capacity

The water capacity stamped on a cylinder's neck is its internal volume, and it is what sets how much compressed gas the bottle may legally hold.

Casting and resin pours

Moulds, resin tubes and filled pipe sections need the volume before you mix, because two-part resin cannot be topped up once it has started to cure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you calculate the volume of a tube?

A tube (hollow cylinder) has two volumes. The material volume — the solid wall itself — is V = π(R² − r²)L, where R is the outer radius, r is the inner radius, and L is the length. The inner capacity (what can flow through the bore) is V = πr²L. Example: a pipe with R = 5 cm, r = 4 cm, and L = 20 cm uses π(25 − 16)(20) ≈ 565.5 cm³ of material and holds π(16)(20) ≈ 1,005.3 cm³ inside.

What is the difference between material volume and capacity?

Material volume is the volume of the tube wall itself — it tells you how much metal, plastic, or concrete is needed to make the tube, which drives weight and cost. Capacity is the empty space inside the bore — it tells you how much fluid the tube can hold or carry. The two together equal the total solid-cylinder volume πR²L.

How do you find the wall thickness of a tube?

Wall thickness is simply the outer radius minus the inner radius: t = R − r. If you are given diameters instead, use t = (D − d) / 2. Manufacturers often specify tubes by outer diameter and wall thickness, in which case the inner radius is r = R − t.

How do you calculate the weight of a pipe from its volume?

Multiply the material volume by the density of the material: weight = π(R² − r²)L × ρ. For example, steel is about 7.85 g/cm³, so a steel pipe using 565.5 cm³ of material weighs roughly 4.44 kg. Make sure the volume and density use consistent units before multiplying.