This dynamic viscosity converter changes an absolute viscosity between pascal-seconds, millipascal-seconds, centipoise, poise, pound-force seconds per square foot, pounds per foot hour and kg/(m·s). Formula: 1 cP = 1 mPa·s = 0.001 Pa·s; μ = ρν in SI units. The SI unit is Pa·s. 1 cP is exactly 1 mPa·s (0.001 Pa·s), and 1 poise is 0.1 Pa·s.
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How to use the dynamic viscosity converter
- Enter the value, for example 350 cP from a product data sheet.
- In the dynamic viscosity converter, choose its unit and the target unit, such as cP to Pa·s.
- Read the dynamic viscosity converter result: 350 cP = 0.35 Pa·s.
Centipoise to pascal second is divide by 1,000, and poise to Pa·s is divide by 10; cP to mPa·s is a one-to-one change.
What is dynamic viscosity?
Dynamic viscosity is a fluid’s resistance to flow under shear, in pascal-seconds (Pa·s). Water at about 20 °C has a viscosity close to 1 millipascal-second, which is 1 centipoise.
Conversion formula
The dynamic viscosity converter stores every unit as a multiple of the base unit, the pascal second (Pa·s). To convert:
value in target unit = value × (factor of source unit ÷ factor of target unit)
where each factor is the size of the unit in pascal seconds.
Common dynamic viscosity conversions
| From | To | 1 unit equals |
|---|---|---|
| centipoise (cP) | pascal second (Pa·s) | 0.001 Pa·s |
| pascal second (Pa·s) | poise (P) | 10 P |
| pound per foot hour (lb/(ft·h)) | pascal second (Pa·s) | 0.0004133789 Pa·s |
Dynamic viscosity converter worked example
Convert 25 centipoises to pascal seconds:
- Factor of cP = 0.001 Pa·s
- Factor of Pa·s = 1 Pa·s
- 25 × 0.001 ÷ 1 = 0.025 Pa·s
Dynamic viscosity unit reference
| Unit | Symbol | Group | Equals (Pa·s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pascal Second | Pa·s | SI | 1 |
| Millipascal Second | mPa·s | SI | 0.001 |
| Centipoise | cP | Common | 0.001 |
| Poise | P | CGS | 0.1 |
| Pound-Force Second per Square Foot | lbf·s/ft² | US/Imperial | 47.88025898 |
| Pound per Foot Hour | lb/(ft·h) | US/Imperial | 0.0004133789 |
| Kilogram per Meter Second | kg/(m·s) | SI | 1 |
Reverse factors for each dynamic viscosity unit
The reference table gives each unit in pascal seconds. To go the other way, divide by that factor; the list below does the division for you.
- Millipascal Second (mPa·s), SI: 1 mPa·s = 0.001 Pa·s, so 1 Pa·s = 1,000 mPa·s.
- Centipoise (cP), Common: 1 cP = 0.001 Pa·s, so 1 Pa·s = 1,000 cP.
- Poise (P), CGS: 1 P = 0.1 Pa·s, so 1 Pa·s = 10 P.
- Pound-Force Second per Square Foot (lbf·s/ft²), US/Imperial: 1 lbf·s/ft² = 47.88026 Pa·s, so 1 Pa·s = 0.02088543 lbf·s/ft².
- Pound per Foot Hour (lb/(ft·h)), US/Imperial: 1 lb/(ft·h) = 0.0004133789 Pa·s, so 1 Pa·s = 2,419.088 lb/(ft·h).
- Kilogram per Meter Second (kg/(m·s)), SI: 1 kg/(m·s) = 1 Pa·s, so 1 Pa·s = 1 kg/(m·s).
Viscosity of common fluids
Approximate dynamic viscosities near 20 °C. Viscosity falls quickly with temperature for liquids, so always note it:
| Fluid near 20 °C (approximate) | mPa·s (cP) | Pa·s |
|---|---|---|
| Air | 0.0182 | 0.0000182 |
| Water | 1.0016 | 0.0010016 |
| Ethanol | 1.2 | 0.0012 |
| Olive oil | 84 | 0.084 |
| Glycerol | 1,412 | 1.412 |
Water at 20 °C is close to 1 mPa·s, which made the centipoise a handy reference.
Dynamic vs kinematic viscosity
Kinematic viscosity is dynamic viscosity divided by density: ν = μ ÷ ρ. Water at 1.0016 mPa·s and 998.2 kg/m³ has ν ≈ 1.003 mm²/s (cSt). Convert lubricant cSt values with the kinematic viscosity converter.
Laminar or turbulent?
Dynamic viscosity goes into the Reynolds number, Re = ρvD ÷ μ. Water at 20 °C has μ ≈ 1.0 mPa·s. At 1 m/s in a 25 mm pipe, Re = 1,000 × 1 × 0.025 ÷ 0.001 = 25,000, which is turbulent. Swap in an oil at 100 mPa·s and Re drops to 250, which is laminar. The dynamic viscosity converter lets you get μ into Pa·s before you calculate, which is where errors creep in. One centipoise is exactly one mPa·s, or 0.001 Pa·s.
Viscosity also depends strongly on temperature. Water drops to about 0.35 mPa·s at 80 °C, roughly a third of its value at 20 °C. Oils change even more. Always note the temperature beside any viscosity value.
Older US texts use lbf·s/ft². One lbf·s/ft² is about 47.88 Pa·s, so even small numbers in that unit describe very thick fluids such as heavy greases or tar.
Related converters and calculators
Related fluid tools:
- Kinematic viscosity converter: cSt and mm²/s
- Density converter: kg/m³ and g/cm³
- Surface tension converter: mN/m and dyn/cm
- Flow rate converter: gpm, L/min, m³/h
- Pressure converter: psi, bar, kPa
Sources
NIST Special Publication 811, Appendix B; NIST Chemistry WebBook: Thermophysical properties of fluid systems.
Questions about this calculator
What is the SI unit of dynamic viscosity?
The pascal-second (Pa·s).
How do I convert cP to Pa·s?
Divide by 1,000. For example, 1,500 cP = 1.5 Pa·s.
Is cP the same as mPa·s?
Yes. One centipoise equals exactly one millipascal-second.
What is the viscosity of water?
About 1.0016 mPa·s (1.0 cP) at 20 °C.
How do I convert poise to Pa·s?
Divide by 10. For example, 5 P = 0.5 Pa·s.
Check the assumptions and units before relying on a result. Financial, tax and health estimates do not replace advice for your individual circumstances.
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