Calculate the hydraulic pressure needed for a cylinder to create a target push or pull force. Enter force, bore diameter, rod diameter, piston area, and efficiency to estimate required PSI, kPa, bar, MPa, and pascals.
Target force:
Enter the push or pull force the hydraulic cylinder needs to create.
Effective area:
For extension, the calculator uses bore area. For retraction, it subtracts rod area from bore area.
Efficiency and safety factor:
Efficiency accounts for losses, while safety factor increases the pressure estimate for extra margin.
A hydraulic cylinder pressure calculator is useful for cylinder sizing, hydraulic presses, jacks, actuators, equipment repair, shop estimates, mechanical design, and comparing pressure, force, bore size, and rod size.
This calculator is for estimates. Real hydraulic systems require component ratings, relief valve settings, hose ratings, fittings, seals, flow, temperature, and safety factors.
The basic hydraulic cylinder pressure formula is:
Pressure = Force ÷ Effective Area
Divide the target force by the effective cylinder area. In U.S. units, PSI equals pounds-force divided by square inches.
Retract pressure can be higher for the same force because the rod reduces the effective area on the rod side of the cylinder.
Yes. A larger bore creates more piston area, so less pressure is needed to create the same force.
Many hydraulic systems work in the hundreds to several thousand PSI range, but actual limits depend on the cylinder, pump, valves, hoses, fittings, and application.