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Torus Surface Area Calculator

Calculate torus (donut) surface area, volume, and geometric properties

📚 Examples, Rules & Help

Quick Examples of Torus Surface Area

🔍How to Calculate Torus Surface Area

🍩 Understanding Torus Surface Area

A torus (donut shape) is formed by rotating a circle around an external axis. It's characterized by two radii: the major radius (R) from the center to the tube center, and the minor radius (r) of the tube itself.

Essential Formulas:

Surface Area: SA = 4π²Rr
Volume: V = 2π²Rr²
Constraint: r < R (minor radius must be less than major radius)
Outer Diameter: D_outer = 2(R + r)
Inner Diameter: D_inner = 2(R - r)

🌍Real-World Applications

🍩 ⚙️ Engineering & Design
Mechanical and architectural applications

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between major and minor radius?

Major Radius (R): Distance from the torus center to the center of the tube

Minor Radius (r): Radius of the circular tube itself

Think of a donut: R is how far the donut hole center is from the tube center, r is how thick the donut tube is.

Why must the minor radius be smaller than the major radius?

If r ≥ R, the shape would not be a proper torus:

If r = R: The inner hole would close completely

If r > R: The shape would intersect itself

A valid torus always has an open center hole, requiring r < R.

🎯Common Use Cases

⚙️ Engineering & Manufacturing

  • O-ring and gasket design
  • Tire and tube calculations
  • Donut-shaped components
  • Ring gear surface area

🏗️ Architecture & Design

  • Circular building elements
  • Sculptural torus shapes
  • Ring-shaped structures
  • Decorative donut elements

💡Calculator Tips & Best Practices

📏Radius Constraint
Always ensure minor radius (r) < major radius (R) for a valid torus shape.
💡Double Pi Squared
Torus formulas uniquely involve 4π² and 2π² due to the double revolution geometry.

📚 References & Further Reading

Engineering principles for torus-shaped components and their optimization in various industries
External Link
Note: These references provide additional mathematical context and verification of the formulas used in this calculator.