Viscosity (dynamic) converter
Dynamic (absolute) viscosity is a fluid’s resistance to shear. 1 cP = 1 mPa·s exactly; water at 20 °C is about 1 cP. To get kinematic viscosity, divide by density.
1 centipoise = 0.001 pascal seconds
How it’s calculated
Pa·s = cP × 0.001
- Multiply the value in centipoise by 0.001.
- To go back, divide by 0.001 (or multiply by 1000).
- 1 cP = 0.001 Pa·s · 1 Pa·s = 1,000 cP
Show worked solutionFactor, unit cancellation and rounding, step by step
Find the conversion factor
By definition 1 Pa·s = 1000 cP. Source: NIST SP 811 / Handbook 44; BIPM SI Brochure (9th ed.).
Multiply by the factor written as a fraction
Put cP in the denominator so it cancels, leaving Pa·s.
Calculate (unrounded)
Round the answer
Rounded to 5 significant figures.
Answer: 0.001 Pa·s
1 cP in other units
Batch convert cP → Pa·s
- 1 cP = 0.001 Pa·s
- 5 cP = 0.005 Pa·s
- 10 cP = 0.01 Pa·s
- 25 cP = 0.025 Pa·s
Common viscosity (dynamic) conversions
Viscosity (dynamic) units and exact definitions
| Unit | System | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal second (Pa·s) | SI (metric) | Base unit |
| Millipascal second (mPa·s) | SI (metric) | 1 mPa·s = 0.001 Pa·s |
| Poise (P) | other | 1 P = 0.1 Pa·s |
| Centipoise (cP) | other | 1 cP = 0.001 Pa·s |
| Pound-force second per square foot (lbf·s/ft²) | US & imperial (identical) | 1 lbf·s/ft² = 47.88025898 Pa·s |
| Pound per foot second (lb/(ft·s)) | US & imperial (identical) | 1 lb/(ft·s) = 1.488163944 Pa·s |
| Reyn (reyn) | US customary | 1 reyn = 6894.757293 Pa·s |
Centipoise to pascal seconds conversion table
| Centipoise (cP) | Pascal seconds (Pa·s) |
|---|---|
| 0.01 cP | 0.00001 Pa·s |
| 0.1 cP | 0.0001 Pa·s |
| 0.5 cP | 0.0005 Pa·s |
| 1 cP | 0.001 Pa·s |
| 2 cP | 0.002 Pa·s |
| 5 cP | 0.005 Pa·s |
| 10 cP | 0.01 Pa·s |
| 20 cP | 0.02 Pa·s |
| 50 cP | 0.05 Pa·s |
| 100 cP | 0.1 Pa·s |
| 200 cP | 0.2 Pa·s |
| 500 cP | 0.5 Pa·s |
| 1,000 cP | 1 Pa·s |
| 1,500 cP | 1.5 Pa·s |
| 5,000 cP | 5 Pa·s |
| 10,000 cP | 10 Pa·s |
Frequently asked questions
Which viscosity (dynamic) units can I convert?
pascal seconds (Pa·s), millipascal seconds (mPa·s), poise (P), centipoise (cP), pound-force seconds per square foot (lbf·s/ft²), pounds per foot second (lb/(ft·s)), reyns (reyn).
How accurate are the results?
Every unit is stored with its exact defining factor (NIST SP 811, NIST Handbook 44 or the BIPM SI Brochure). Calculations use double-precision arithmetic and are rounded only for display, to 5 significant figures by default (trailing zeros dropped, so 1 km shows as 1000 m). You can choose Auto (up to 10 digits), fixed decimals or more significant figures, or switch to scientific or engineering notation.
What is the difference between centipoise and mPa·s?
None in size: 1 cP = 1 mPa·s exactly (1 P = 0.1 Pa·s). Water at 20 °C is about 1 cP. Dynamic viscosity is not the same as kinematic viscosity; divide by density to convert between them.