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Convert Centipoise to Pascal-seconds

Instantly convert Centipoise (cP) to Pascal-seconds (Pa·s) with our free online calculator.

Reviewed by Christopher FloiedUpdated

Formula: cP to Pa·smultiply by 0.001

Reference Table

Centipoise (cP)Pascal-seconds (Pa·s)
10.001
50.005
100.01
250.025
500.05
1000.1

How to Convert Centipoise to Pascal-seconds

Formula

To convert Centipoise (cP) to Pascal-seconds (Pa·s): multiply by 0.001

Step-by-Step

  1. Start with your value in Centipoise (cP).
  2. Multiply by 0.001 to perform the conversion.
  3. The result is your value expressed in Pascal-seconds (Pa·s).

Conversion Factor

1 cP = 0.001 Pa·s

Reverse Factor

1 Pa·s = 1000 cP

Worked Example

Convert 25 Centipoise to Pascal-seconds: 25 cP = 0.025 Pa·s

About Centipoise (cP)

A CGS dynamic-viscosity unit equal to exactly 0.01 poise = 0.001 Pa·s = 1 mPa·s. Centipoise is the traditional working unit in coatings, paints, petroleum products, food processing, and pharmaceutical excipient characterization — Brookfield rotational viscometers (the industry-standard QC instrument since the 1930s) default to reporting in cP on the dial readout. Test methods: ASTM D445 (kinematic viscosity, but cross-references to cP via density), ASTM D2196 (rheological properties via rotational viscometer), ASTM D562 (Stormer viscometer Krebs Units, with cP cross-reference), ISO 2555 (Brookfield-method paint and ink), USP <911> (pharmacopoeial Brookfield method). Reference values: water = 1 cP at 20 °C (the famous calibration baseline; viscosity standards are sold traceable to NIST in mPa·s / cP units), SAE 10W30 motor oil at 100 °C ~12 cP, latex paint 500-1,500 cP, ketchup ~50,000 cP (highly shear-thinning so the exact number depends on shear rate).

About Pascal-second (Pa·s)

The SI unit of dynamic (absolute) viscosity (ISO 80000-4 §4-32) — the ratio of shear stress to velocity gradient in a flowing Newtonian fluid (τ = μ · du/dy). Pa·s is the universal reference unit in fluid mechanics research, CFD solver inputs (Ansys Fluent, OpenFOAM, COMSOL all use Pa·s internally), rheology and tribology research, lubricant film calculations, and polymer melt-flow analysis. Reference values: water at 20 °C is 1.002 × 10⁻³ Pa·s (the calibration baseline), air at 20 °C is 1.81 × 10⁻⁵ Pa·s (~55× less viscous than water), SAE 30 engine oil at 40 °C ≈ 0.1 Pa·s, honey at room temperature ~10 Pa·s, peanut butter ~250 Pa·s, the asthenosphere of Earth's mantle ~10¹⁹ Pa·s. Glass at its working temperature (~1,400 °C) is ~100 Pa·s; at its glass-transition temperature ~10¹² Pa·s — the conventional definition of Tg. Convert Pa·s to cP (centipoise) by multiplying by 1,000; to lb/(ft·s) by dividing by 1.488.

Quick Facts

  • 1 Centipoise equals 0.001 Pascal-seconds
  • 1 Pascal-second equals 1000 Centipoise
  • Centipoise is a unit of dynamic viscosity
  • Pascal-second is a unit of dynamic viscosity
  • This conversion is commonly used in lubricant selection, chemical processing, and fluid dynamics
  • The Centipoise belongs to the metric system

Common Centipoise to Pascal-second Conversions

Centipoise (cP)Pascal-seconds (Pa·s)
0.010.00001
0.10.0001
0.250.00025
0.50.0005
10.001
20.002
30.003
50.005
100.01
150.015
200.02
250.025
500.05
750.075
1000.1
2500.25
5000.5
10001
50005
1000010

Understanding Centipoise

The Centipoise (symbol: cP) is a unit of dynamic viscosity. A CGS dynamic-viscosity unit equal to exactly 0.01 poise = 0.001 Pa·s = 1 mPa·s. Centipoise is the traditional working unit in coatings, paints, petroleum products, food processing, and pharmaceutical excipient characterization — Brookfield rotational viscometers (the industry-standard QC instrument since the 1930s) default to reporting in cP on the dial readout. Test methods: ASTM D445 (kinematic viscosity, but cross-references to cP via density), ASTM D2196 (rheological properties via rotational viscometer), ASTM D562 (Stormer viscometer Krebs Units, with cP cross-reference), ISO 2555 (Brookfield-method paint and ink), USP <911> (pharmacopoeial Brookfield method). Reference values: water = 1 cP at 20 °C (the famous calibration baseline; viscosity standards are sold traceable to NIST in mPa·s / cP units), SAE 10W30 motor oil at 100 °C ~12 cP, latex paint 500-1,500 cP, ketchup ~50,000 cP (highly shear-thinning so the exact number depends on shear rate).

It belongs to the metric measurement system.

Centipoise are commonly used in lubricant selection, chemical processing, and fluid dynamics.

Understanding Pascal-seconds

The Pascal-second (symbol: Pa·s) is a unit of dynamic viscosity. The SI unit of dynamic (absolute) viscosity (ISO 80000-4 §4-32) — the ratio of shear stress to velocity gradient in a flowing Newtonian fluid (τ = μ · du/dy). Pa·s is the universal reference unit in fluid mechanics research, CFD solver inputs (Ansys Fluent, OpenFOAM, COMSOL all use Pa·s internally), rheology and tribology research, lubricant film calculations, and polymer melt-flow analysis. Reference values: water at 20 °C is 1.002 × 10⁻³ Pa·s (the calibration baseline), air at 20 °C is 1.81 × 10⁻⁵ Pa·s (~55× less viscous than water), SAE 30 engine oil at 40 °C ≈ 0.1 Pa·s, honey at room temperature ~10 Pa·s, peanut butter ~250 Pa·s, the asthenosphere of Earth's mantle ~10¹⁹ Pa·s. Glass at its working temperature (~1,400 °C) is ~100 Pa·s; at its glass-transition temperature ~10¹² Pa·s — the conventional definition of Tg. Convert Pa·s to cP (centipoise) by multiplying by 1,000; to lb/(ft·s) by dividing by 1.488.

It belongs to the metric measurement system.

Pascal-seconds are commonly used in lubricant selection, chemical processing, and fluid dynamics.

Why Convert Centipoise to Pascal-seconds?

Converting between Centipoise and Pascal-seconds is a frequent requirement for engineers, scientists, and students working with dynamic viscosity values. Different industries and regions favour different unit systems, so having a dependable conversion tool saves time and prevents errors in technical calculations. Whether you are verifying a specification sheet, cross-checking simulation results, or preparing a report for an international audience, accurate dynamic viscosity conversion is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert Centipoise to Pascal-seconds?

A CGS dynamic-viscosity unit equal to exactly 0. To convert Centipoise to Pascal-seconds, multiply by 0.001. For example, 25 cP equals 0.025 Pa·s.

How many Pascal-seconds are in 1 Centipoise?

There are 0.001 Pascal-seconds in 1 Centipoise.

How many Centipoise are in 1 Pascal-second?

There are 1000 Centipoise in 1 Pascal-second.

What is the formula for Centipoise to Pascal-second conversion?

The formula is: multiply by 0.001. This means 1 cP = 0.001 Pa·s.

Is a Centipoise bigger than a Pascal-second?

Yes. One Centipoise is larger than one Pascal-second because 1 cP equals 0.001 Pa·s, which is less than 1.

When do you need to convert between Centipoise and Pascal-seconds?

The SI unit of dynamic (absolute) viscosity (ISO 80000-4 §4-32) — the ratio of shear stress to velocity gradient in a flowing Newtonian fluid (τ = μ · du/dy). Centipoise and Pascal-second are both dynamic viscosity units, so conversion comes up whenever one source of information uses one unit and another uses the other — a classic cross-reference challenge in engineering, trade, travel, and everyday life.

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