How this calculator works
Uniform pressure acting on a flat piston produces force equal to pressure difference times effective area. A full circular piston uses bore area; the rod side of a double-acting cylinder uses an annulus instead. Enter that annular area directly when needed. The result excludes seal friction, side loads and return springs. Inverse bore means the diameter of an equivalent full circular area.
Formula
F = deltaP A; A = pi d²/4; deltaP = F/A; d = sqrt(4F/(pi deltaP)).
Worked example
A 100 mm bore under 100 kPa pressure difference develops 785.398 N ideally. A 500 N force acting over 0.01 m² corresponds to 50 kPa.
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Frequently asked questions
Should pressure be gauge or absolute?
Use the pressure difference across the piston. Gauge pressure works when the opposite side is at the same atmospheric reference.
How do I handle a piston rod?
Subtract rod area from bore area and enter the result in the effective-area option.
Is this the rated cylinder force?
It is the ideal pressure force. Real available thrust depends on friction, speed and the cylinder design.