Viscosity Converter

Convert between pascal-seconds, centipoise, and poise.

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Background

Viscosity = resistance to flow. Dynamic: Pa·s (SI) or cP (industry). Kinematic: m²/s or cSt. Essential for lubrication and chemical engineering.

Dynamic vs Kinematic

Dynamic (Pa·s, cP) = internal resistance. Kinematic (m²/s, cSt) = dynamic ÷ density. Engine oil: 100–200 cP at room temp.

Common Viscosities

Water: ~1 cP. Honey: 2,000–10,000 cP. Motor oil: 50–1,000 cP depending on grade/temperature.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Select 'Viscosity'

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  2. Select your source unit

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  3. Enter the value

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  4. Select your target unit

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Applications

Lubrication

SAE 5W-30: '30' ≈ 10 cSt at 100°C. Convert cSt↔cP↔Pa·s for engineering calculations.

Process Engineering

Polymer melts: 100–100,000 Pa·s. Convert for international equipment specs.

Food Industry

Tomato sauce: ~50,000 cP. Convert for international food processing standards.

Industrial Applications

Viscosity is an important property in industrial applications such as lubrication, where the viscosity of a fluid can affect the performance and longevity of machinery. For example, in hydraulic systems, the viscosity of the fluid can determine the amount of pressure and flow rate, while in coolants, it can affect the heat transfer and corrosion protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you convert cP to Pa·s?

Divide by 1,000. 100 cP = 0.1 Pa·s. 1 cP = 0.001 Pa·s = 1 mPa·s.

Viscosity of water?

At 20°C: ~1.002 cP (dynamic) or ~1.004 cSt (kinematic).

cP vs cSt?

cP = dynamic viscosity. cSt = kinematic viscosity. cSt = cP ÷ density (g/cm³).

Can you convert viscosity from FPS to L/min?

Yes, you can use the conversion factor of 1 L/min = 0.4536 m/s.

How do you convert viscosity from kg/m³ to lb/ft?

You can use the conversion factor of 1 lb/ft = 0.4536 kg/m³.