Nonlinear seal friction in pneumatic cylinders can impede the performance of pneumatic systems designed for high precision positioning with favorable high speed actuation. The behaviour of an elastomeric piston seals in high speed pneumatic cylinders is analyzed by nonlinear finite element analysis using ABAQUS. The contact pressures, stress and strain distributions and frictional forces of the squeeze type piston seal are simulated with variation of the seal radial installed interference, the operating pressures, friction coefficients and piston rod velocities. The nonlinear finite element model of the squeeze type piston seal is used to predict deformation of a seal, friction force and contact pressure distributions.