Viscosity Converter
Convert between Pascal-seconds, poise, and centipoise (dynamic viscosity).
How viscosity conversion works
This converts dynamic viscosity — a fluid's internal resistance to flow — between the SI unit (Pascal-seconds) and the older CGS-system units (poise, centipoise) still common in chemistry and industry. This is a different quantity from kinematic viscosity (which also factors in the fluid's density), so the two shouldn't be confused.
Reference points
- Water at room temperature has a viscosity of almost exactly 1 centipoise (0.001 Pa·s)
- Honey is roughly 2,000–10,000 centipoise, depending on temperature
- 1 poise = 100 centipoise = 0.1 Pa·s
Frequently asked questions
Why is water's viscosity exactly 1 centipoise?
It's essentially a historical coincidence rather than a deliberate design choice — the centipoise unit happens to make water's viscosity at room temperature come out very close to 1, which is a big part of why it remained a convenient, widely used reference unit.
What's the difference between dynamic and kinematic viscosity?
Dynamic viscosity (what this tool converts) measures a fluid's resistance to flow under an applied force. Kinematic viscosity divides that by the fluid's density, giving a measure of how the fluid flows under gravity alone — used in different contexts, like lubricant grading.