How to calculate the cross-section of O-ring to achieve the optimal squish

When you are determining the size of a O-ring to use in a given application, it is necessary to achieve the correct amount of squish. As a general rule, the space that is being filled by the O-ring must be about 10% to 15% smaller than the cross-section of the O-ring in order for O-ring to seal properly. Thanks to the O-Ring Supply Co. for providing a free calculator for figuring out the cross-section size of the O-ring you'll need for a specific groove depth in order to obtain a good seal.