Hydraulic Cylinder Force and Speed Calculator
Estimate double-acting cylinder extension and retraction force, speed and stroke time from bore, rod, pressure and flow.
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Result
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Calculation steps
Work through one step at a time or reveal the complete calculation. The steps use your current inputs.
How to calculate
Calculate full-bore and annular areas. Apply pressure and entered force efficiency to each effective area; divide flow by area for ideal directional speeds.
Aextend=πD²/4; Aretract=π(D²−d²)/4; F=pAη; v=Q/A; time=stroke/v
Worked example
An 80 mm bore, 40 mm rod, 10 MPa cylinder at 90% entered force efficiency gives about 45.24 kN extension and 33.93 kN retraction force.
Assumptions and input details
Static pressure and incompressible steady flow are assumed. The entered force efficiency affects force only; leakage and volumetric efficiency are not inferred. Results omit acceleration, valve and line losses, return back-pressure, cushioning, seal friction variation, side loads, rod buckling and every component rating. Use manufacturer data for design.
References: Parker: basic hydraulic formulas
Unit definitions
Unit selection is independent of language. Each selector contains only units for its physical quantity. Calculations use defined base units internally.
Choose from 23 length definitions, including explicitly labelled regional measures. Area conversions square the length factor; geometric volumes cube it.
Regional measures are not interchangeable merely because their names look similar. This is a documented selection, not a claim to include every historical unit.
NIST measurement tables · Japanese traditional units · Mainland China and Hong Kong unit distinctions
Using this calculator
Can I enter my own problem?
Yes. Replace the example values with your own inputs. The result, calculation steps, tables and applicable diagrams update from those inputs. Blank or invalid values clear the result; example values are never silently substituted for missing inputs.
Are the results exact?
Results use floating-point arithmetic and displayed rounding. Read the formula, assumptions and any stated data precision before interpreting the result.
Is my input uploaded?
The calculation runs in your browser. No account, file upload or external AI service is required. Inputs are not saved between page reloads.
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