Calculate the force exerted by a hydraulic or pneumatic piston.
Piston Dimensions
Calculation Results
Enter piston data
About this calculator
Overview
Piston force is calculated by multiplying the fluid pressure by the area over which it acts. In double-acting cylinders, the force is different for extending and retracting.
💡
Pro Tips
Extend Force acts on the full bore area.
Retract Force acts on the 'annular' area (bore area minus rod area).
Ensure pressure is measured in consistent units (e.g., PSI or Bar).
!
Fun Facts
"Large industrial hydraulic presses can exert thousands of tons of force."
"Hydraulic fluid is used because it's nearly incompressible, unlike air."
"Pressure is transmitted equally in all directions within a contained fluid (Pascal's Principle)."
