Cylinder Bore: 4″ | Piston Area: 12.566 in²
At 3,000 PSI → 37,699 lbs (18.8 tons)
4″ Bore Hydraulic Cylinder Force Table
| Pressure | Force (lbs) | Force (tons) | Force (kN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 PSI | 6,283 lbs | 3.1 tons | 27.9 kN |
| 1,000 PSI | 12,566 lbs | 6.3 tons | 55.9 kN |
| 1,500 PSI | 18,850 lbs | 9.4 tons | 83.8 kN |
| 2,000 PSI | 25,133 lbs | 12.6 tons | 111.8 kN |
| 2,500 PSI | 31,416 lbs | 15.7 tons | 139.7 kN |
| 3,000 PSI | 37,699 lbs | 18.8 tons | 167.7 kN |
| 3,500 PSI | 43,982 lbs | 22.0 tons | 195.6 kN |
| 4,000 PSI | 50,265 lbs | 25.1 tons | 223.6 kN |
| 5,000 PSI | 62,832 lbs | 31.4 tons | 279.5 kN |
| 6,000 PSI | 75,398 lbs | 37.7 tons | 335.4 kN |
| 8,000 PSI | 100,531 lbs | 50.3 tons | 447.2 kN |
| 10,000 PSI | 125,664 lbs | 62.8 tons | 559.0 kN |
How to Calculate 4″ Bore Cylinder Force
Force = Pressure × Piston Area
Area = π × (Bore ÷ 2)² = π × (2)² = 12.5664 in²
To find the push force of a 4″ bore hydraulic cylinder, multiply the operating pressure (in PSI) by the piston area (12.566 in²).
Example at 3,000 PSI:
Force = 3,000 × 12.5664 = 37,699 lbs (18.8 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″ bore force chart
- 3.25″ bore force chart
- 3.5″ 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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