🌊 Dynamic Viscosity Converter 2026
Convert between pascal seconds, poise, centipoise, and other viscosity units
1 Pa·s = 10 P
Formula: value × 10
📊 All Conversions
Common Viscosity Conversions
| From | To | Multiply by |
|---|---|---|
| 1 pascal second (Pa·s) | poise (P) | 10 |
| 1 poise (P) | pascal second | 0.1 |
| 1 centipoise (cP) | pascal second | 0.001 |
| 1 centipoise (cP) | millipascal second | 1 |
| 1 kg/(m·s) | pascal second | 1 |
| 1 lb/(ft·s) | pascal second | 1.488 |
Common Fluid Viscosities (at 20°C)
| Fluid | Dynamic Viscosity |
|---|---|
| 💧 Water | 1.002 cP (0.001 Pa·s) |
| 🍯 Honey | 2,000–10,000 cP |
| 🛢️ Motor oil (SAE 30) | 150–200 cP |
| 🧴 Olive oil | 84 cP |
| 🥛 Milk | 2–3 cP |
| 🌫️ Air | 0.0182 cP |
| 🍫 Chocolate syrup | 10,000–25,000 cP |
| 🧈 Peanut butter | 150,000–250,000 cP |
Understanding Dynamic Viscosity
📐 Pascal Second (Pa·s)
SI unit of dynamic viscosity. Also written as N·s/m² or kg/(m·s). Water at 20°C ≈ 0.001 Pa·s.
🧪 Poise (P)
CGS unit. 1 P = 0.1 Pa·s = 1 g/(cm·s). Named after Jean Poiseuille. Centipoise (cP) more common: 1 cP = 0.001 Pa·s.
🌡️ Temperature Effect
Viscosity decreases with temperature for liquids. Water at 0°C: 1.79 cP. At 100°C: 0.28 cP. Gases increase with temperature.
⚖️ Dynamic vs Kinematic
Dynamic (μ) = absolute viscosity. Kinematic (ν) = dynamic/density. Kinematic in m²/s or stokes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dynamic viscosity?
Dynamic (absolute) viscosity measures a fluid's internal
resistance to flow under shear stress. Higher viscosity = more resistance. Unit: pascal second (Pa·s) or
poise (P).
How do I convert poise to pascal second?
Divide by 10 or multiply by 0.1. 1 poise = 0.1 Pa·s. Example: 5 P
= 0.5 Pa·s.
How do I convert centipoise to pascal second?
Divide by 1000 or multiply by 0.001. 1 cP = 0.001 Pa·s = 1 mPa·s.
Water ≈ 1 cP at 20°C.
What is a centipoise?
1/100 of a poise. 1 cP = 0.01 P = 0.001 Pa·s = 1 mPa·s. Convenient
unit; water ≈ 1 cP. Most common viscosity unit.
What is the viscosity of water?
~1 centipoise (0.001 Pa·s) at 20°C. Varies with temperature: 1.79
cP at 0°C, 0.55 cP at 50°C, 0.28 cP at 100°C.
What is the difference between dynamic and kinematic viscosity?
Dynamic (μ): absolute viscosity, Pa·s. Kinematic
(ν): μ/ρ (viscosity/density), m²/s or stokes. Kinematic accounts for fluid density.
How does temperature affect viscosity?
Liquids: viscosity decreases as temperature increases (molecules
move faster). Gases: viscosity increases with temperature (more molecular collisions).
What is a poise named after?
Jean Léonard Marie Poiseuille (1797-1869), French physicist who
studied blood flow and viscous flow through pipes (Hagen-Poiseuille equation).
What is the viscosity of honey?
~2,000-10,000 cP depending on type and temperature. Much more
viscous than water. Decreases significantly when heated.
What is the viscosity of motor oil?
SAE 30: ~150-200 cP at 40°C. Oil viscosity is
temperature-dependent. "Multi-grade" oils (10W-40) maintain viscosity across temperatures.
What is a millipascal second?
1 mPa·s = 0.001 Pa·s = 1 cP. SI-friendly way to express
centipoise. Water ≈ 1 mPa·s at 20°C.
How do I measure viscosity?
Viscometers: Capillary, rotational (Brookfield), falling ball,
vibrating. Method depends on fluid type and viscosity range.
What is a reyn?
Imperial viscosity unit. 1 reyn = 1 lbf·s/in² = 6,894.76 Pa·s.
Used in some engineering applications. Named after Osborne Reynolds.
What is Newtonian fluid?
Fluid with constant viscosity regardless of shear rate. Water,
oils are Newtonian. Non-Newtonian: ketchup, blood, paint (viscosity changes with shear).
What is the viscosity of air?
~0.0182 cP (18.2 µPa·s) at 20°C. Much lower than liquids.
Increases with temperature (opposite of liquids).
What unit does industry commonly use?
Centipoise (cP) is most common in industry. SI prefers mPa·s
(numerically equal). Petroleum uses various proprietary scales too.
How accurate is this viscosity converter?
Uses exact conversion factors. Results are mathematically precise.
Actual fluid viscosity depends on temperature, pressure, composition.