Calculate hydraulic cylinder force from pressure and effective piston area. Enter hydraulic pressure, bore diameter, rod diameter, piston area, and efficiency to estimate push force, pull force, pounds-force, newtons, kilonewtons, and tons-force.
Pressure:
Enter the hydraulic pressure available from the pump, system, or relief setting.
Area:
Use bore diameter for push force, piston area for direct area input, or bore and rod diameter for pull-side annular area.
Efficiency:
The calculator multiplies by efficiency to estimate usable force after losses.
A hydraulic force calculator is useful for hydraulic cylinders, presses, jacks, actuators, shop equipment, machine design, cylinder sizing, and comparing pressure, bore size, rod size, and output force.
This calculator is for estimates. Real hydraulic systems also need safety factors, component ratings, relief settings, flow, seals, temperature, and load conditions.
The basic hydraulic force formula is:
Force = Pressure × Area
Hydraulic force is calculated by multiplying pressure by effective piston area. In U.S. units, force in pounds equals PSI times square inches.
Yes. A larger bore creates more piston area, which increases hydraulic force at the same pressure.
Retract force is often lower because the rod takes up part of the piston area, reducing the effective annular area.
Hydraulic pressure equals force divided by area. Rearranged, force equals pressure multiplied by area.