Viscosity Converter

Convert Between Dynamic Viscosity Units

Convert dynamic viscosity units used in chemistry, engineering, and fluid dynamics. Supports Pascal-second, centipoise, poise, and more.

How to Use

Follow these simple steps to convert viscosity units:

Enter Value
Input the viscosity value you want to convert.
Select Units
Choose the source unit (from) and target unit (to).
Get Result
The converted value is calculated and displayed automatically.

All calculations are performed in your browser. No data is sent to any server.

Enter Value

From Unit

To Unit

Result: -

Use Cases

Viscosity conversion is essential in many fields:

Chemical Engineering

Engineers need to convert viscosity units when working with international specifications, equipment manuals, or comparing materials from different suppliers.

Oil & Gas Industry

Crude oil and petroleum products are characterized by their viscosity. Converting between units is essential for pipeline design and pump selection.

Food Industry

Food products like sauces, syrups, and beverages have specific viscosity requirements. Quality control often requires converting between measurement standards.

Paint & Coatings

Paint viscosity affects application methods and final finish. Manufacturers and applicators need to convert between different viscosity standards.

Pharmaceutical

Drug formulations require precise viscosity control. Converting between units helps ensure consistent product quality across different manufacturing sites.

Lubricant Manufacturing

Motor oils and industrial lubricants are classified by viscosity grades. Converting between SI and CGS units is common in this industry.

Understanding Viscosity

Viscosity measures a fluid's resistance to flow or deformation.

What is Dynamic Viscosity?

Dynamic (or absolute) viscosity measures a fluid's internal resistance to flow when a force is applied. It's the ratio of shear stress to shear rate. The SI unit is Pascal-second (Pa·s).

Common Units

The poise (P) is the CGS unit, with centipoise (cP) being more commonly used. 1 Pa·s = 10 poise = 1000 centipoise. Water at 20°C has a viscosity of about 1 cP.

Temperature Effects

Viscosity is highly temperature-dependent. For most liquids, viscosity decreases as temperature increases. This relationship is crucial in many applications.

Dynamic vs Kinematic

Dynamic viscosity measures flow resistance directly, while kinematic viscosity (dynamic viscosity divided by density) is used when gravity-driven flow is relevant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cP and mPa·s?

They are equal! 1 centipoise (cP) = 1 millipascal-second (mPa·s). Both equal 0.001 Pa·s.

How do I convert Pa·s to centipoise?

Multiply Pa·s by 1000 to get centipoise. For example, 0.5 Pa·s = 500 cP.

What is the viscosity of water?

Water at 20°C has a dynamic viscosity of approximately 1.002 cP (0.001002 Pa·s). At 100°C, it drops to about 0.282 cP.

What is poise named after?

The poise is named after Jean Léonard Marie Poiseuille, a French physicist who studied fluid flow in tubes.

How does viscosity affect pumping?

Higher viscosity fluids require more energy to pump and may need positive displacement pumps instead of centrifugal pumps.

What is a typical motor oil viscosity?

Common motor oils like SAE 10W-30 have viscosities ranging from about 10 cP at 100°C to over 200 cP at lower temperatures.

Why is honey more viscous than water?

Honey has a much higher sugar content and complex molecular structure, creating stronger intermolecular forces that resist flow. Honey's viscosity is about 2,000-10,000 cP.

How is viscosity measured?

Common methods include capillary viscometers, rotational viscometers, and falling ball viscometers. The choice depends on the fluid properties and required accuracy.