Engine Displacement Calculator – Bore & Stroke to CC

Todd Mitchell (photo)
By Todd Mitchell
On: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 8:50 PM
engine displacement

Engine Displacement Calculator

Calculate engine displacement from bore, stroke, and cylinder count — results in cc, litres, and cubic inches.

Engine Displacement Calculator

Bore · Stroke · Cylinders → cc / L / cu in

Displacement (cc)
Displacement (litres)
Displacement (cu in)

How It Works

Engine displacement is the total swept volume of all cylinders. The formula uses the circular cross-section area of the bore (π/4 × bore²) multiplied by stroke and cylinder count.

Displacement = (π ÷ 4) × Bore² × Stroke × Cylinders (all dimensions in mm; result in cc = mm³ ÷ 1000)

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Measure or look up the bore diameter in millimetres from engine specs.
  2. Find the stroke length in mm from the same source.
  3. Count the number of cylinders (typically 3, 4, 6, 8, or 10).
  4. Click Calculate — see displacement in cc, litres, and cubic inches.
  5. Compare to the manufacturer’s quoted displacement to verify your build.

Worked Example

Example: Bore 86 mm, Stroke 86 mm, 4 cylinders → π/4 × 86² × 86 × 4 ÷ 1000 = 1 998 cc ≈ 2.0 L ≈ 122 cu in.

Reference Table

EngineBore (mm)Stroke (mm)CylindersDisplacement
Toyota 2JZ-GE86.086.062 997 cc
Honda K2086.086.041 998 cc
Ford Coyote 5.092.292.784 951 cc
GM LS3 6.2103.2592.086 162 cc
BMW N5484.089.662 979 cc
Subaru EJ25799.579.042 458 cc
VW 1.8T (EA888)82.592.841 984 cc

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t my calculated displacement match the manufacturer’s spec?

Manufacturer specs are often rounded. Minor differences in bore or stroke measurement (even 0.1 mm) compound across cylinders. The formula is exact — use the precise values from engine service data.

What is the relationship between displacement and horsepower?

Displacement does not directly determine power. Specific output (hp per litre) varies widely: a naturally-aspirated sports engine may produce 100 hp/L, a turbocharged unit 150 hp/L, while a diesel may produce 60 hp/L.

How does overboring affect displacement?

Boring increases the bore diameter slightly (typically +0.25 to +1.0 mm). Even a 0.5 mm overbore on a 4-cyl 86 mm bore engine adds approximately 25–30 cc of displacement.

Can I calculate displacement for an odd-fire V configuration?

Yes — the formula applies regardless of firing order or engine configuration. All cylinders use the same bore and stroke in a standard production engine, so the multiplication is straightforward.