Engine Displacement
Calculator

Inputs

Displacement (cm³)
1,998.228856

Results

Displacement (cm³)
1,998.228856
Displacement (L)
1.998228
Displacement (cubic inches)
121.939406
Displacement per cylinder (cm³)
499.557214

Results

Displacement (cm³)1,998.228856
Displacement (L)1.998228
Displacement (cubic inches)121.939406
Displacement per cylinder (cm³)499.557214

formula-map diagram

Displacement (cm³)
1,998.228856
Displacement (L)
1.998228
Displacement (cubic inches)
121.939406
Displacement per cylinder (cm³)
499.557214

Formula breakdown

Formula

V = π ÷ 4 × bore² × stroke × cylinders

= 1998.2288568717

Note

Simplified model: results use idealised textbook relationships and ignore real-world factors such as driving style, load, temperature, aerodynamic and rolling losses, drivetrain efficiency, tyre and brake condition and road surface. CO2 figures are tailpipe only, based on the standard 2.31 kg CO2 per litre of petrol (2.68 kg per litre of diesel), and exclude fuel production and distribution. Use them as estimates, not as legal, safety or load-rating figures.

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Frequently asked questions

What is engine displacement and what does it tell you about an engine?+

Engine displacement is the total volume swept by all the pistons in one complete cycle, usually expressed in liters or cubic centimeters. It's a rough indicator of an engine's potential power and torque, since a larger volume can draw in and burn more air-fuel mixture per cycle, though forced induction and technology can significantly change the relationship.

How is displacement calculated from bore, stroke, and cylinder count?+

The formula is: displacement = π/4 × bore² × stroke × number of cylinders, where bore is the cylinder diameter and stroke is the distance the piston travels. Each cylinder's swept volume is calculated individually and then multiplied by the number of cylinders.

Why do two engines with the same displacement perform differently?+

Displacement only measures swept volume, not other critical factors like compression ratio, valve timing, turbocharging or supercharging, fuel type, and engine speed (RPM) limits — all of which affect how much power and torque an engine actually produces from that same displaced volume.

What's a common misconception about bigger displacement meaning more power?+

While larger displacement generally supports higher power potential, a smaller turbocharged engine can produce more power and torque than a larger naturally aspirated one, because forced induction effectively increases the amount of air-fuel mixture packed into the same cylinder volume.

Does displacement directly determine fuel consumption?+

Not directly — while larger-displacement engines often consume more fuel at a given load due to greater internal friction and pumping losses, actual fuel consumption depends heavily on how the engine is used (load, RPM, gearing) and modern technologies like cylinder deactivation, which can make a large engine surprisingly efficient at light loads.