Centipoise to Pascal-Seconds Converter (cP ↔ Pa·s)

Dynamic viscosity – engineering & lab use

Convert dynamic viscosity between centipoise (cP), pascal-seconds (Pa·s), poise (P) and millipascal-seconds (mPa·s) with a single, accurate tool. Ideal for rheology, process engineering, lubrication and laboratory work.

Reminder: this calculator deals with dynamic viscosity only. To convert between cP and centistokes (cSt), fluid density is required and is not assumed here.

Dynamic viscosity cP ↔ Pa·s, with P and mPa·s

Bi-directional, high-precision conversion

Enter dynamic viscosity in centipoise. Water at 20 °C ≈ 1 cP.

SI unit of dynamic viscosity. 1 cP = 0.001 Pa·s.

1 P = 0.1 Pa·s.

1 Pa·s = 1000 mPa·s.

Typical presets:

Quick reference: viscosity unit relationships

This calculator is based on exact, SI-consistent relationships between CGS and SI viscosity units.

Unit Symbol In Pa·s In cP
Pascal-second Pa·s 1 1000 cP
Poise P 0.1 Pa·s 100 cP
Centipoise cP 0.001 Pa·s 1 cP
Millipascal-second mPa·s 0.001 Pa·s 1 cP (numerically equal)

Understanding dynamic viscosity: cP, Pa·s, P and mPa·s

Dynamic viscosity quantifies the internal friction of a fluid when layers move relative to each other under shear. The higher the viscosity, the more “resistant” the fluid is to flow.

In the SI system, dynamic viscosity is measured in pascal-seconds (Pa·s). In the older CGS system, the corresponding units are poise (P) and centipoise (cP). Many industrial datasheets still use cP, so reliable conversion to Pa·s is essential in engineering calculations.

Key relationships used by this converter

1 P = 0.1 Pa·s

1 cP = 0.01 P = 0.001 Pa·s

1 Pa·s = 10 P = 1000 cP

1 mPa·s = 0.001 Pa·s

Conversion formulas

Pa·s = cP × 0.001

cP = Pa·s × 1000

P = Pa·s ÷ 0.1 = Pa·s × 10

mPa·s = Pa·s × 1000

Dynamic vs kinematic viscosity (cP vs cSt)

While this tool focuses on dynamic viscosity, in practice you will often encounter kinematic viscosity, expressed in m²/s or more commonly as centistokes (cSt). The two are related by fluid density:

\(\nu = \dfrac{\mu}{\rho}\)   where \(\nu\) is kinematic viscosity, \(\mu\) is dynamic viscosity and \(\rho\) is density.

As a rule of thumb for water-like fluids at ambient conditions, cP and cSt values are often close numerically because density is near 1 g/cm³, but this is not exact and should not be assumed in precise work.

Worked example: 75 cP to Pa·s and P

  1. Start with μ = 75 cP.
  2. Convert to Pa·s: Pa·s = 75 × 0.001 = 0.075 Pa·s.
  3. Convert to poise: P = Pa·s × 10 = 0.75 P.
  4. In the calculator, entering 75 in the cP field yields 0.075 Pa·s, 0.75 P and 75 mPa·s (numerically equal to 75 cP).

FAQ: using the cP to Pa·s converter

Why do mPa·s and cP often have the same numeric value?

Because 1 cP = 0.001 Pa·s and 1 mPa·s = 0.001 Pa·s, the numeric values of cP and mPa·s are identical when they represent the same viscosity. The units belong to different unit systems (CGS vs SI) but coincide numerically for convenience.

How accurate are the conversions?

The relationships between cP, P, Pa·s and mPa·s are exact unit definitions, so the only source of inaccuracy is rounding during display. Internally, this tool keeps sufficient precision for engineering and laboratory use.

Where are these units used?

Centipoise is very common in chemical, petroleum and food industries. Pascal-seconds is the SI unit of choice in research papers, rheology, fluid dynamics and numerical simulation. Poise and millipascal-seconds appear in both older and newer literature depending on the field.