Engine Displacement Calculator
Calculate total engine displacement in liters, cubic centimeters, and cubic inches from bore, stroke, and cylinder count.
Results
What is it?
Engine displacement is the total swept volume of all cylinders — the combined space the pistons move through in one complete cycle. It's the single most common way to describe engine size and is calculated using the formula: V = (π/4) × bore² × stroke × cylinders.
How to use
Enter the cylinder bore diameter and piston stroke length (both in mm), then select the cylinder count. Displacement appears in liters, cc, and cubic inches simultaneously. Note that a 'square' engine has equal bore and stroke.
Example scenario
A 2.0L inline-four with 86 mm bore and 86 mm stroke (square engine, 4 cylinders): each cylinder displaces 499.6 cc, totaling 1,998.5 cc ≈ 2.0 L (122 in³). Increasing stroke to 90 mm gives 2,094 cc — a common path to more torque without widening the block.
Pro tip
Specific output (hp/liter) is a better performance indicator than displacement alone — a highly tuned 2.0L can make 300+ hp while a lazy 5.0L may only make 250. Supercharging effectively multiplies displacement: a 2.0L engine with 14.7 psi boost (1 atm) breathes like a 4.0L naturally aspirated engine.