Cylinder Bore: 3″ | Piston Area: 7.069 in²
At 3,000 PSI → 21,206 lbs (10.6 tons)
3″ Bore Hydraulic Cylinder Force Table
| Pressure | Force (lbs) | Force (tons) | Force (kN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 PSI | 3,534 lbs | 1.8 tons | 15.7 kN |
| 1,000 PSI | 7,069 lbs | 3.5 tons | 31.4 kN |
| 1,500 PSI | 10,603 lbs | 5.3 tons | 47.2 kN |
| 2,000 PSI | 14,137 lbs | 7.1 tons | 62.9 kN |
| 2,500 PSI | 17,671 lbs | 8.8 tons | 78.6 kN |
| 3,000 PSI | 21,206 lbs | 10.6 tons | 94.3 kN |
| 3,500 PSI | 24,740 lbs | 12.4 tons | 110.0 kN |
| 4,000 PSI | 28,274 lbs | 14.1 tons | 125.8 kN |
| 5,000 PSI | 35,343 lbs | 17.7 tons | 157.2 kN |
| 6,000 PSI | 42,412 lbs | 21.2 tons | 188.7 kN |
| 8,000 PSI | 56,549 lbs | 28.3 tons | 251.5 kN |
| 10,000 PSI | 70,686 lbs | 35.3 tons | 314.4 kN |
How to Calculate 3″ Bore Cylinder Force
Force = Pressure × Piston Area
Area = π × (Bore ÷ 2)² = π × (1.5)² = 7.0686 in²
To find the push force of a 3″ bore hydraulic cylinder, multiply the operating pressure (in PSI) by the piston area (7.069 in²).
Example at 3,000 PSI:
Force = 3,000 × 7.0686 = 21,206 lbs (10.6 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
- 2.5″ 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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