Viscosity Converter

Viscosity is a fluid's resistance to flow. There are two kinds: dynamic viscosity (Pa·s, poise, centipoise) and kinematic viscosity (m²/s, stokes, centistokes), which is dynamic viscosity divided by density. Oils are usually specified in centistokes and paints and food in centipoise. This converter keeps the two kinds apart, because converting between them needs the fluid's density.

How to use Viscosity Converter

1. Type the value you want to convert.
2. Choose the unit you have in From and the unit you want in To. The swap button turns the conversion round.
3. Read the answer, with the formula underneath. For example, 1 cP = 1 mPa·s, and water at 20 °C is about 1 cP.
4. Open All units to see the value in every unit at once, and copy the one you need.

When it comes in handy

• Reading lubricant, hydraulic oil and fuel specifications.
• Lab and process engineering calculations.
• Comparing paint, adhesive or food thickness.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert centipoise to centistokes?

Divide by the density in g/cm³: cSt = cP ÷ density. Water (density about 1) has roughly equal values; an oil with density 0.87 and 100 cP is about 115 cSt.

Why does viscosity depend on temperature?

Most liquids get thinner as they warm up, so viscosity is always quoted at a temperature, for example 40 °C for industrial oils.