Calculate the precise volume of concrete needed for cylindrical shapes like post holes, sonotubes, or circular columns.
Cylinder Dimensions
in
ft
%
Volume Estimate
Ready for the pour?
Enter the diameter and height of your cylindrical forms to calculate the total concrete requirements.
About this calculator
Overview
Cylindrical concrete pours are a staple in construction for creating fence posts, deck footings, structural piers, and sonotube pillars. Because cylinders have a circular base, their volume is calculated by multiplying the area of the circle (πr²) by the height. This calculator handles the geometric math and unit conversions for you.
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Pro Tips
When pouring post holes, remember that the concrete volume will be reduced if you insert the post into the wet mix (displacement).
Use 'Sonotubes' (disposable fiber forms) to create clean, smooth above-ground cylindrical pillars for decks and porches.
If digging footings in clay soil, consider 'belling' the bottom (making it wider) to increase the bearing capacity and further resist frost heave.
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Fun Facts
"Concrete cylinders are also the standard shape used in laboratories to test the compressive strength of a concrete batch before and after curing."
"Circular footings are more resistant to frost heave than square footings because they have no corners for soil to grip onto during freezing cycles."
"The volume of a cylinder is exactly three times the volume of a cone with the same base diameter and vertical height."
