If p₁, is the pressure of air entering the L.P. cylinder and p₂ is the pressure of air leaving the L.P. cylinder (or inter-cooler pressure), then the ratio of cylinder diameters for a single acting, two stage reciprocating air compressor with complete intercooling is given by (where D₁ = Dia. of L.P. cylinder, and D₂ = Dia. of H.P. cylinder)