A variable displacement compressor includes a cylinder block and a valve plate connected to the cylinder block. The cylinder block has cylinder bores and a central supporting hole. A piston is housed in each cylinder bore to compress gas. A swash plate is connected to the pistons to convert rotation of the drive shaft into reciprocation of the pistons. A cylindrical body is housed in the supporting hole. A coil spring located in the supporting hole presses the cylindrical body toward the swash plate. The cylindrical body moves axially as the swash plate is inclined. When the swash plate is minimally inclined, the valve plate receives force from the swash plate through the cylindrical body. Therefore, axial forces from the swash plate are not exerted on the drive shaft.