Surface Area of Hollow Cylinder
2026-02-28 13:19 Diff
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Last updated on August 5, 2025

A hollow cylinder is a 3-dimensional shape with two circular bases and a cylindrical surface, but it has an empty space inside. The surface area of a hollow cylinder includes the inner and outer curved surfaces and the areas of the two circular bases. In this article, we will learn about the surface area of a hollow cylinder.

What is the Surface Area of a Hollow Cylinder?

The surface area of a hollow cylinder is the total area occupied by the outer and inner surfaces of the cylinder, along with the areas of the two circular bases. It is measured in square units.

A hollow cylinder is a 3D shape formed by two coaxial cylinders. It has a curved outer surface, a curved inner surface, and two circular bases, making up three distinct surface areas: the outer curved surface area, the inner curved surface area, and the total surface area including the bases.

Surface Area of a Hollow Cylinder Formula

A hollow cylinder has three types of surface areas: the outer curved surface area, the inner curved surface area, and the total surface area.

Look at the hollow cylinder below to see its surface area, height(h), outer radius(R), and inner radius(r).

A hollow cylinder has three types of surface areas:

Outer Curved Surface Area of a Hollow Cylinder

Inner Curved Surface Area of a Hollow Cylinder

Total Surface Area of a Hollow Cylinder

Outer Curved Surface Area of a Hollow Cylinder

The outer curved surface area of a hollow cylinder is the area of the cylindrical surface on the outside.

The formula for the outer curved surface area (OCSA) is given as: Outer Curved Surface Area = 2πRh square units

Here, R is the outer radius of the hollow cylinder. h is the height of the hollow cylinder.

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Inner Curved Surface Area of a Hollow Cylinder

The inner curved surface area of a hollow cylinder is the area of the cylindrical surface on the inside.

The formula for the inner curved surface area (ICSA) is given as: Inner Curved Surface Area = 2πrh square units

Where r is the inner radius of the hollow cylinder. h is the height of the hollow cylinder.

Total Surface Area of a Hollow Cylinder

The total surface area of a hollow cylinder includes the inner and outer curved surfaces, as well as the areas of the two circular bases.

The total surface area is calculated by using the formula: Total Surface Area = 2πRh + 2πrh + 2π(R^2 - r^2) square units

This includes the outer curved surface area, the inner curved surface area, and the areas of the two circular annuli (the difference between the areas of the large and small circles).

Confusion between OCSA and ICSA

Students assume that the outer curved surface area (OCSA) and the inner curved surface area (ICSA) of a hollow cylinder are the same. This confusion arises because both involve the height and the radii. Always remember that OCSA uses the outer radius, while ICSA uses the inner radius.

Problem 1

Given R = 8 cm, h = 12 cm. Use the formula: OCSA = 2πRh = 2 × 3.14 × 8 × 12 = 603.2 cm²

Okay, lets begin

Find the total surface area of a hollow cylinder with an outer radius of 10 cm, an inner radius of 7 cm, and a height of 15 cm.

Explanation

TSA = 1615.4 cm²

Well explained 👍

Problem 2

Use the formula: TSA = 2πRh + 2πrh + 2π(R² - r²) = 2 × 3.14 × 10 × 15 + 2 × 3.14 × 7 × 15 + 2 × 3.14 × (10² - 7²) = 942 + 658.8 + 395.6 = 1996.4 cm²

Okay, lets begin

A hollow cylinder has an outer radius of 6 cm, an inner radius of 4 cm, and a height of 10 cm. Find the inner curved surface area.

Explanation

ICSA = 251.2 cm²

Well explained 👍

Problem 3

Use the formula: ICSA = 2πrh = 2 × 3.14 × 4 × 10 = 251.2 cm²

Okay, lets begin

Find the total surface area of a hollow cylinder with an outer radius of 9 cm, an inner radius of 5 cm, and a height of 20 cm.

Explanation

TSA = 2970.4 cm²

Well explained 👍

Problem 4

Use the formula: TSA = 2πRh + 2πrh + 2π(R² - r²) = 2 × 3.14 × 9 × 20 + 2 × 3.14 × 5 × 20 + 2 × 3.14 × (9² - 5²) = 1130.4 + 628 + 251.2 = 2009.6 cm²

Okay, lets begin

The inner curved surface area of a hollow cylinder is 440 cm², with an inner radius of 7 cm. Find the height.

Explanation

Height = 10 cm

Well explained 👍

It is the total area that covers the outside and inside of the hollow cylinder, including the curved surfaces and the annular bases.

1.What are the different surface areas in a hollow cylinder?

Outer curved surface area, inner curved surface area, and total surface area including the annular bases are the different surface areas.

2.How do you find the total surface area of a hollow cylinder?

Add the outer curved surface area, the inner curved surface area, and the areas of the two annular bases.

3.What is the formula for the annular base area of a hollow cylinder?

The annular base area is π(R² - r²), where R is the outer radius and r is the inner radius.

4.What unit is surface area measured in?

Surface area is always measured in square units like cm², m², or in².

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in the Surface Area of a Hollow Cylinder

Students often make mistakes while calculating the surface area of a hollow cylinder, which leads to wrong answers. Below are some common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.

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Seyed Ali Fathima S

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Seyed Ali Fathima S a math expert with nearly 5 years of experience as a math teacher. From an engineer to a math teacher, shows her passion for math and teaching. She is a calculator queen, who loves tables and she turns tables to puzzles and songs.

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