Viscosity Converter
Convert viscosity between units instantly. Includes conversion tables, common equivalents, and calculation formulas.
Reviewed for accuracy by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator
Viscosity Converter
Calculator
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Formula: kinematic = dynamic / density | converted = value x (fromFactor / toFactor)
Worked example — 200 cP = 0.2 Pa·s
Formula
kinematic = dynamic / density | converted = value x (fromFactor / toFactor)
Dynamic viscosity measures resistance to flow (Pa·s). Kinematic viscosity equals dynamic viscosity divided by density (m²/s). Unit conversion multiplies by the ratio of source to target conversion factors.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Motor Oil Conversion
Problem:Convert SAE 30 motor oil viscosity of 200 cP to Pa·s.
Solution:200 cP x 0.001 = 0.2 Pa·s
Result:200 cP = 0.2 Pa·s
Example 2: Kinematic Viscosity Conversion
Problem:Convert 100 cSt to m²/s.
Solution:100 cSt x 1e-6 = 1.0 x 10^-4 m²/s
Result:100 cSt = 1.0 x 10^-4 m²/s
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dynamic and kinematic viscosity?
Dynamic viscosity (also called absolute viscosity) measures a fluid's internal resistance to flow when an external force is applied, with SI units of Pascal-seconds (Pa·s). Kinematic viscosity is the ratio of dynamic viscosity to fluid density, with SI units of m²/s. The relationship is: kinematic viscosity = dynamic viscosity / density. Water at 20 degrees Celsius has a dynamic viscosity of about 0.001 Pa·s and kinematic viscosity of about 1.004 x 10^-6 m²/s.
How does temperature affect viscosity?
Temperature has a significant effect on viscosity. For liquids, viscosity decreases as temperature increases because higher thermal energy allows molecules to move past each other more easily. For gases, viscosity increases with temperature because faster-moving molecules transfer more momentum between layers. Motor oil viscosity, for example, can drop by 80% or more when heated from 0 to 100 degrees Celsius.
What are centistokes and how do they relate to centipoise?
Centistokes (cSt) measure kinematic viscosity, while centipoise (cP) measure dynamic viscosity. They are related by the fluid density: cSt = cP / density (in g/cm³). For water with a density near 1 g/cm³, the numerical values are nearly equal. For oil with a density of 0.9 g/cm³, a reading of 90 cP corresponds to 100 cSt. This distinction matters in engineering calculations involving fluid flow and heat transfer.
References
Reviewed for accuracy by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator · Editorial policy
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