Engine Displacement Calculator

Calculate the size of any engine with our easy-to-use displacement calculator. By entering the bore, stroke, and number of cylinders, you can instantly find the total volume in cc, liters, and cubic inches. Perfect for mechanics, engine builders, and automotive enthusiasts comparing different motor designs. Explore more tools on free calculators on CalculatorBolt.

Calculate Engine Size

Unit Equivalent
1 inch 25.4 millimeters
1000 cc 1.0 Liter
1 Liter 61.02 cubic inches
1 cubic inch 16.387 cubic centimeters

How It Works

Engine displacement is the total volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders. We calculate the volume of a single cylinder using the formula for a cylinder's volume (V = πr²h) and then multiply it by the number of cylinders. The result is the engine's total geometric displacement.

Inputs Explained

  • Bore: The diameter of the cylinder.
  • Stroke: The distance the piston travels from top to bottom dead center.
  • Number of Cylinders: The total number of cylinders in the engine.

Example

A classic 2.0L inline-4 engine might have an 86mm bore, 86mm stroke, and 4 cylinders. The calculator determines its displacement is 1998 cc, which is commonly rounded to 2.0 liters.

Tips & Notes

  • Engine displacement is a key factor in determining power potential, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Efficiency, forced induction, and technology also play a huge role.
  • 1000 cubic centimeters (cc) is equal to 1.0 liter (L).
  • This calculator provides geometric displacement. It does not account for the volume of the combustion chamber, which is needed to calculate compression ratio.

FAQs

Engine displacement is the total volume of air/fuel mixture an engine can draw in during one complete cycle. It is calculated based on the bore (diameter) of the cylinders, the stroke length of the pistons, and the number of cylinders.

The formula is: Displacement = (π/4) × Bore² × Stroke × Number of Cylinders. Ensure all units are consistent (e.g., millimeters) before calculating.

cc stands for cubic centimeters. 1000 cc is equal to 1.0 Liter (L). For example, a 1998cc engine is commonly referred to as a 2.0L engine.

Not necessarily. While larger displacement generally offers more potential for torque and power, modern technologies like turbocharging, variable valve timing, and direct injection allow smaller engines to produce high power outputs efficiently.

A stroker engine is one where the crankshaft has been modified or replaced to increase the stroke length. This increases the total displacement and typically improves torque.

Disclaimer

Important: This calculator provides a geometric calculation of engine displacement for informational purposes. It does not account for other engine dynamics or specifications. For official or technical use, always refer to manufacturer data.

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Author: CalculatorBolt Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Automotive Engineer
Published: • Updated: