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Pipe Volume Calculator

Determine the internal capacity of any pipe or hose.

V = \pi r^2 L
d = ?
h = ?
Diagram updates instantly as you type.

What is Pipe Volume?

The capacity of a long hollow cylinder.

Pipe volume refers to the internal capacity of a pipe—the total amount of water, gas, or other fluid it can hold when completely full.

Key Information
Shape Focus
pipe volume calculator

How to Find Pipe Volume

A pipe is just a long cylinder, so use the cylinder formula with inner dimensions.

1
Find the inner diameter of the pipe and divide by two to get the inner radius.
2
Measure the total length of the pipe.
3
Square the radius, multiply by pi, and multiply by the length.

Pipe Volume Formula

The equation for internal pipe capacity.

V = π r^2 L
V Volume
d Inner Diameter
h Length

Where 'r' is the internal radius of the pipe and 'L' is the total length.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use internal radius instead of outer radius?

The outer radius includes the thickness of the pipe wall, which doesn't hold liquid. The internal radius measures the actual empty space.

Does a curved pipe have a different volume?

No. Assuming the pipe isn't flattened or kinked at the bend, a curved pipe holds the same volume as a straight pipe of the exact same length.

How do I deal with long pipes where length is in meters but radius is in millimeters?

You must convert all measurements to the same unit before calculating. For example, convert millimeters to meters first.

What is 'nominal pipe size'?

Nominal pipe size (NPS) is an industrial standard that often differs from the exact physical inside diameter. Always measure the actual inside diameter for accurate volume.