Geometry
Total surface area
The curved side plus the two circular ends.
The Formula
A = 2 x pi x r x h + 2 x pi x r^2
The curved side plus the two circular ends.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Total area | square metres | Side plus both ends. |
| r | Radius | metres | Radius of the base. |
| h | Height | metres | Height of the cylinder. |
What Each Symbol Means
Asquare metres
Total area
Side plus both ends.
rmetres
Radius
Radius of the base.
hmetres
Height
Height of the cylinder.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate the surface area of a cylinder page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate The Surface Area Of A Cylinder, filed under Math. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.