Viscosity (kinematic) converter
Kinematic viscosity is dynamic viscosity divided by density. 1 cSt = 1 mm²/s exactly; ISO VG oil grades are rated in cSt at 40 °C.
1 centistokes = 0.000001 square metres per second
How it’s calculated
m²/s = cSt × 0.000001
- Multiply the value in centistokes by 0.000001.
- To go back, divide by 0.000001 (or multiply by 1000000).
- 1 cSt = 0.000001 m²/s · 1 m²/s = 1,000,000 cSt
Show worked solutionFactor, unit cancellation and rounding, step by step
Find the conversion factor
By definition 1 m²/s = 1000000 cSt. Source: NIST SP 811 / Handbook 44; BIPM SI Brochure (9th ed.).
Multiply by the factor written as a fraction
Put cSt in the denominator so it cancels, leaving m²/s.
Calculate (unrounded)
Round the answer
Rounded to 5 significant figures.
Answer: 0.000001 m²/s
1 cSt in other units
Batch convert cSt → m²/s
- 1 cSt = 0.000001 m²/s
- 5 cSt = 0.000005 m²/s
- 10 cSt = 0.00001 m²/s
- 25 cSt = 0.000025 m²/s
Common viscosity (kinematic) conversions
Viscosity (kinematic) units and exact definitions
| Unit | System | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Square metre per second (m²/s) | SI (metric) | Base unit |
| Square millimetre per second (mm²/s) | SI (metric) | 1 mm²/s = 0.000001 m²/s |
| Centistokes (cSt) | other | 1 cSt = 0.000001 m²/s |
| Stokes (St) | other | 1 St = 0.0001 m²/s |
| Square foot per second (ft²/s) | US & imperial (identical) | 1 ft²/s = 0.09290304 m²/s |
| Square inch per second (in²/s) | US & imperial (identical) | 1 in²/s = 0.00064516 m²/s |
Centistokes to square metres per second conversion table
| Centistokes (cSt) | Square metres per second (m²/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 cSt | 0.000001 m²/s |
| 2 cSt | 0.000002 m²/s |
| 5 cSt | 0.000005 m²/s |
| 10 cSt | 0.00001 m²/s |
| 15 cSt | 0.000015 m²/s |
| 22 cSt | 0.000022 m²/s |
| 32 cSt | 0.000032 m²/s |
| 46 cSt | 0.000046 m²/s |
| 68 cSt | 0.000068 m²/s |
| 100 cSt | 0.0001 m²/s |
| 150 cSt | 0.00015 m²/s |
| 220 cSt | 0.00022 m²/s |
| 320 cSt | 0.00032 m²/s |
| 460 cSt | 0.00046 m²/s |
| 680 cSt | 0.00068 m²/s |
| 1,000 cSt | 0.001 m²/s |
Frequently asked questions
Which viscosity (kinematic) units can I convert?
square metres per second (m²/s), square millimetres per second (mm²/s), centistokes (cSt), stokes (St), square feet per second (ft²/s), square inches per second (in²/s).
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.
How do I convert kinematic viscosity to dynamic viscosity?
Multiply by the fluid density: μ = ν × ρ. For example 1 cSt (1 mm²/s) × 1 000 kg/m³ = 1 mPa·s. Use the compound converter if you need mixed units.