Engine Displacement Calculator
Enter bore, stroke and cylinders to get total displacement in cc, liters and CID — plus each cylinder's swept volume.
Last updated: 2026-09-15
How the calculation works
- Each cylinder sweeps a cylinder of bore × stroke; π/4 × d² × h gives its volume.
- Multiply by cylinder count for total displacement; the tool converts to liters and cubic inches.
Formula
V = π/4 × bore² × stroke × cylinders
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
V | Swept displacement | cc |
bore | Cylinder bore | mm |
stroke | Piston stroke | mm |
Worked example
Interpreting the result
Displacement sets the air an engine can theoretically ingest per cycle — power scales with it, airflow, and volumetric efficiency. The bore/stroke ratio shapes the character: oversquare engines rev higher (short stroke, big valves fit), undersquare make low-end torque. Oversizing bore without flow work buys compression but not power.
Assumptions
- Cylindrical combustion space swept by the piston (chamber volume excluded — see the compression ratio calculator).
- Nominal bore and stroke at room temperature.
Limitations
- Wankel engines use a different volume convention (chamber × 2 typically cited).
- Does not include gasket/deck clearance volume.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert cc to cubic inches?
Multiply cc by 0.061 (or divide by 16.387). A 350 CID Chevy is 5,735 cc = 5.7 L; a 2.0 L engine is 122 CID.
Does displacement equal power?
No — it sets the ceiling. Volumetric efficiency, breathing, compression and RPM decide how much of that ceiling the engine reaches. A 2.0 L turbo can outperform a 3.0 L NA engine.