Dynamic Viscosity Converter

Convert between different units of dynamic viscosity instantly. Essential for fluid mechanics, rheology, and process engineering applications.

Conversion Formulas: 1 Pa·s = 10 P = 1000 mPa·s = 1000 cP = 0.1 kg/(m·s) = 1 N·s/m² = 0.02088543 lbf·s/ft² = 0.6719689 lb/(ft·s) = 0.006719689 slug/(ft·s) = 1.488164 lb/(ft·h)

About This Dynamic Viscosity Converter

Our Dynamic Viscosity Converter is a specialized tool designed for fluid scientists, chemical engineers, and industrial professionals working with fluid flow behavior. Dynamic viscosity (also called absolute viscosity) measures a fluid’s internal resistance to flow and is crucial for applications ranging from lubricant selection to process engineering.

The converter handles all major dynamic viscosity units including SI (Pascal-second), CGS (Poise), and imperial measurements, with precise conversions between different systems. It’s particularly valuable for translating between the common centipoise (cP) used in everyday fluid analysis and the SI units preferred in scientific calculations.

Key Features

Comprehensive Unit Coverage

Convert between all major dynamic viscosity units including Pa·s, Poise, centipoise, and imperial measurements used across different disciplines.

Scientific Standard Units

Includes specialized units like centipoise (cP) commonly used in petroleum industry and fluid characterization.

Precision Engineering

Accurate conversions with up to 8 decimal places for critical scientific and engineering applications.

Multi-System Support

Handles conversions between SI, CGS, and imperial units for international compatibility and legacy documentation.

Why Choose Our Converter?

  • Technical Accuracy: Uses exact conversion factors for engineering precision
  • Industry Standard: Specialized support for centipoise (cP) measurements common in labs and industry
  • Multi-System Support: Works with both metric (SI/CGS) and imperial units
  • Practical Units: Includes slug/(ft·s) and other specialized industry measures
  • Responsive Design: Works perfectly on all devices from desktops to smartphones

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dynamic viscosity and how does it differ from kinematic viscosity?

Dynamic viscosity (μ) measures a fluid’s internal resistance to flow when subjected to shear stress, regardless of its density. Kinematic viscosity (ν) is dynamic viscosity divided by density (ν = μ/ρ). While dynamic viscosity quantifies the force needed to make a fluid flow, kinematic viscosity relates more to how quickly momentum diffuses through the fluid. Dynamic viscosity is measured in Pa·s or Poise, while kinematic viscosity is measured in m²/s or Stokes.

Why are Poise and centipoise commonly used?

Poise (P) and centipoise (cP) are CGS units that have become industry standards in many applications. The centipoise is particularly useful because water at 20°C has a viscosity of approximately 1 cP, making it a convenient reference point. Many industries, especially petroleum and chemical processing, continue to use centipoise due to historical practices and the convenient scale it provides for common fluids.

How do I convert between Poise and Pascal-second?

1 Poise (P) = 0.1 Pascal-second (Pa·s). Our converter handles this automatically – 1 Pa·s = 10 P. The centipoise (cP) is 1/100 of a Poise: 1 Pa·s = 1000 cP, which is also equal to 1000 mPa·s (millipascal-second).

What are typical dynamic viscosity values for common fluids?

Water at 20°C: ~1 cP (0.001 Pa·s), SAE 30 motor oil at 20°C: ~400 cP, Honey: ~10,000 cP, Glycerin: ~1,500 cP, Air at 20°C: ~0.018 cP. Our converter helps translate these values to other units as needed for various engineering and scientific applications.

When would I use slug/(foot·second) units?

Slug/(foot·second) is sometimes used in US engineering practices, particularly in aerospace and mechanical engineering applications where other imperial units are being used. It might be encountered in older technical literature or in specialized industries where imperial units are still preferred. 1 Pa·s = 0.006719689 slug/(ft·s), which our converter calculates automatically.