Cylinder Bore: 2.5″ | Piston Area: 4.909 in²
At 3,000 PSI → 14,726 lbs (7.4 tons)
2.5″ Bore Hydraulic Cylinder Force Table
| Pressure | Force (lbs) | Force (tons) | Force (kN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 PSI | 2,454 lbs | 1.2 tons | 10.9 kN |
| 1,000 PSI | 4,909 lbs | 2.5 tons | 21.8 kN |
| 1,500 PSI | 7,363 lbs | 3.7 tons | 32.8 kN |
| 2,000 PSI | 9,817 lbs | 4.9 tons | 43.7 kN |
| 2,500 PSI | 12,272 lbs | 6.1 tons | 54.6 kN |
| 3,000 PSI | 14,726 lbs | 7.4 tons | 65.5 kN |
| 3,500 PSI | 17,181 lbs | 8.6 tons | 76.4 kN |
| 4,000 PSI | 19,635 lbs | 9.8 tons | 87.3 kN |
| 5,000 PSI | 24,544 lbs | 12.3 tons | 109.2 kN |
| 6,000 PSI | 29,452 lbs | 14.7 tons | 131.0 kN |
| 8,000 PSI | 39,270 lbs | 19.6 tons | 174.7 kN |
| 10,000 PSI | 49,087 lbs | 24.5 tons | 218.4 kN |
How to Calculate 2.5″ Bore Cylinder Force
Force = Pressure × Piston Area
Area = π × (Bore ÷ 2)² = π × (1.25)² = 4.9087 in²
To find the push force of a 2.5″ bore hydraulic cylinder, multiply the operating pressure (in PSI) by the piston area (4.909 in²).
Example at 3,000 PSI:
Force = 3,000 × 4.9087 = 14,726 lbs (7.4 tons)
Rod-Side (Pull) Force
The retract force is always less than the push force because the rod displaces part of the piston area. To calculate pull force, subtract the rod cross-section area from the bore area:
Pull Force = Pressure × (Bore Area − Rod Area)
Important Notes
- These are theoretical forces. Real-world output is 3-5% less due to seal friction.
- Rod diameter matters for retract force — larger rods reduce pull force significantly.
- Never exceed rated pressure. Most industrial cylinders are rated for 3,000 or 5,000 PSI.
- Dynamic vs static: Moving loads require additional force to overcome inertia and friction.
Other Bore Sizes
- 1″ bore force chart
- 1.5″ bore force chart
- 2″ bore force chart
- 3″ bore force chart
- 3.25″ bore force chart
- 3.5″ bore force chart
- 4″ bore force chart
- 4.5″ bore force chart
Need custom calculations?
Use our Interactive Hydraulic Cylinder Calculator for any bore, rod, and pressure combination.
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