How this conversion works
Dynamic viscosity measures a fluid's resistance to shearing flow. The SI unit is the pascal-second; the older CGS unit is the poise (0.1 Pa·s).
One centipoise equals exactly one millipascal-second, which is why the two are used interchangeably in lab data.
Formula: result = value × (base units per source unit) ÷ (base units per target unit)
Where this conversion is used
- Lab and product data sheets for paints, oils, adhesives and food products.
- Comparing older CGS data (poise, centipoise) with SI (Pa·s).
- Pump and mixer selection, which depends on fluid viscosity.
Worked example: Viscosity of 1 cP in Pa·s
- 1 cP = 0.01 P and 1 P = 0.1 Pa·s.
- 1 × 0.01 × 0.1 = 0.001 Pa·s.
Unit definitions
| Unit | In pascal-seconds | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal-second (Pa·s) | 1 | |
| Millipascal-second (mPa·s) | 0.001 | |
| Poise (P) | 0.1 | CGS unit: 1 P = 0.1 Pa·s exactly. |
| Centipoise (cP) | 0.001 | 1 cP = 1 mPa·s. |
| Pound-force second per square foot (lbf·s/ft²) | 47.8802589803 | |
| Pound per foot second (lb/(ft·s)) | 1.4881639436 | |
| Reyn (reyn) | 6,894.75729317 | 1 lbf·s/in². |
Centipoise to pascal-seconds
| Centipoise (cP) | Pascal-second (Pa·s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.001 |
| 10 | 0.01 |
| 100 | 0.1 |
| 1,000 | 1 |
| 10,000 | 10 |
Pascal-seconds to poise
| Pascal-second (Pa·s) | Poise (P) |
|---|---|
| 0.001 | 0.01 |
| 0.01 | 0.1 |
| 0.1 | 1 |
| 1 | 10 |
| 10 | 100 |
Things to watch for
- Kinematic viscosity (stokes, centistokes, m²/s) is a different quantity: dynamic viscosity divided by density. It is not converted here.
Precision and sources
Results are calculated from the definitions above and rounded to 12 significant digits; the converter shows up to eight decimal places and the tables four. Reference: NIST Special Publication 811, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units, Appendix B.
Frequently asked questions
What is the viscosity of water?
About 1 mPa·s (1 cP) near 20 °C. Viscosity changes strongly with temperature, so always note the temperature of a measurement.
Can I convert centipoise to centistokes?
Only with the fluid's density: cSt = cP ÷ density in g/cm³.