A familiar situation
Estimate the material needed to cover a box, closed cylinder, or other listed solid.
How to use this calculator
- Enter solid, side / length / radius, width / height and the remaining inputs.
- Select Calculate to see the answer and its breakdown.
- Keep a scenario, change an input and compare the results.
Use consistent units and check the assumptions below before applying the result.
How surface area is calculated
The formulas include 6a² for a cube, 2(lw+lh+wh) for a box, 4πr² for a sphere, and 2πr²+2πrh for a closed cylinder. Cone and pyramid calculations use slant height. A closed cylinder with r=2 and h=5 has surface area 2π(2²)+2π(2)(5)=28π ≈ 87.96 square units.
Cube 6a²; box 2(lw+lh+wh); sphere 4πr²; closed cylinder 2πr²+2πrh.A closed cylinder with r=2 and h=5 has surface area 2π(2²)+2π(2)(5)=28π ≈ 87.96 square units.
Assumptions & useful context
The result depends on the values you enter and the method described above. Displayed numbers may be rounded; calculations use the unrounded values. Check that this model matches your situation before relying on it.
Frequently asked questions
Is cylinder area for an open or closed cylinder?
It is the total for a closed cylinder, including both circular ends.
What is slant height?
It is the straight distance along the sloped side from the apex to the base edge.