Viscosity Converter
Convert dynamic viscosity between SI, cgs, and imperial units with a real-world feel reference.
Convert dynamic viscosity units instantly. Free Pa·s, centipoise and poise converter with water/honey reference values.
Calculator Inputs
About Viscosity Units
Convert dynamic viscosity between SI, cgs, and imperial units with a real-world feel reference.
Dynamic viscosity measures resistance to flow, anchored to pascal-seconds: water is about 1 centipoise, olive oil ~60, honey ~10,000. Convert across Pa·s, poise, centipoise, and pound-per-foot-second, with a feel reference for the result.
This covers dynamic (absolute) viscosity only. Kinematic viscosity (centistokes) divides further by density — a separate quantity. Everything runs in your browser.
Where it is used
Pump and piping specs, lubricant selection, food-process viscosity targets, and paint flow checks.
How to use the Viscosity Units
- Value — enter the value (e.g. 1000).
- From — enter the value.
- To — enter the value.
- Calculate — press the Calculate button to see the result instantly above.
Formula
Anchor to Pa·s (1 cP = 0.001 Pa·s; water ≈ 1 cP at 20 °C).
Examples
Example
Frequently Asked Questions
- Dynamic vs kinematic viscosity?
- Dynamic (Pa·s, cP) is absolute resistance to flow. Kinematic (cSt) divides by density — useful when gravity drives the flow.
- Why is water the reference?
- Water at 20 °C is almost exactly 1 cP, making conversions intuitive: anything in centipoise reads as "times thicker than water".
- Does temperature matter?
- Enormously — honey thins 10× between fridge and room temperature. Always note the temperature a viscosity figure assumes.