Convert Poise to Centipoise
Instantly convert Poise (P) to Centipoise (cP) with our free online calculator.
Formula: P to cP — multiply by 100
Reference Table
| Poise (P) | Centipoise (cP) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 100 |
| 5 | 500 |
| 10 | 1000 |
| 25 | 2500 |
| 50 | 5000 |
| 100 | 10000 |
How to Convert Poise to Centipoise
Formula
To convert Poise (P) to Centipoise (cP): multiply by 100
Step-by-Step
- Start with your value in Poise (P).
- Multiply by 100 to perform the conversion.
- The result is your value expressed in Centipoise (cP).
Conversion Factor
1 P = 100 cP
Reverse Factor
1 cP = 0.01 P
Worked Example
Convert 25 Poise to Centipoise: 25 P = 2500 cP
About Poise (P)
The CGS unit of dynamic viscosity, equal to exactly 0.1 Pa·s. Named after French physician Jean Léonard Marie Poiseuille, whose 1840s experimental and theoretical work on blood-flow in small tubes produced the Hagen-Poiseuille equation that underpins modern laminar-flow analysis. Although superseded by Pa·s in modern SI usage, the poise still appears in: older fluid-dynamics literature (pre-1980 US and European textbooks), geophysics and Earth-science publications for highly viscous fluids where the magnitude is convenient (asthenosphere ~10¹⁸ P, lower mantle ~10²² P, basaltic lava 10² to 10⁴ P at eruption temperature, rhyolitic lava 10⁹ to 10¹¹ P), glass-manufacturing process tables (the working point of glass = 10⁴ P; softening point = 10⁷·⁶ P; annealing point = 10¹³·² P; strain point = 10¹⁴·⁵ P), and some polymer-rheology / extrusion literature where melt viscosities of 10⁴ to 10⁷ P are common.
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).
Quick Facts
- 1 Poise equals 100 Centipoise
- 1 Centipoise equals 0.01 Poise
- Poise is a unit of dynamic viscosity
- Centipoise is a unit of dynamic viscosity
- This conversion is commonly used in lubricant selection, chemical processing, and fluid dynamics
- The Poise belongs to the metric system
Common Poise to Centipoise Conversions
| Poise (P) | Centipoise (cP) |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 1 |
| 0.1 | 10 |
| 0.25 | 25 |
| 0.5 | 50 |
| 1 | 100 |
| 2 | 200 |
| 3 | 300 |
| 5 | 500 |
| 10 | 1000 |
| 15 | 1500 |
| 20 | 2000 |
| 25 | 2500 |
| 50 | 5000 |
| 75 | 7500 |
| 100 | 10000 |
| 250 | 25000 |
| 500 | 50000 |
| 1000 | 100000 |
| 5000 | 500000 |
| 10000 | 1000000 |
Understanding Poise
The Poise (symbol: P) is a unit of dynamic viscosity. The CGS unit of dynamic viscosity, equal to exactly 0.1 Pa·s. Named after French physician Jean Léonard Marie Poiseuille, whose 1840s experimental and theoretical work on blood-flow in small tubes produced the Hagen-Poiseuille equation that underpins modern laminar-flow analysis. Although superseded by Pa·s in modern SI usage, the poise still appears in: older fluid-dynamics literature (pre-1980 US and European textbooks), geophysics and Earth-science publications for highly viscous fluids where the magnitude is convenient (asthenosphere ~10¹⁸ P, lower mantle ~10²² P, basaltic lava 10² to 10⁴ P at eruption temperature, rhyolitic lava 10⁹ to 10¹¹ P), glass-manufacturing process tables (the working point of glass = 10⁴ P; softening point = 10⁷·⁶ P; annealing point = 10¹³·² P; strain point = 10¹⁴·⁵ P), and some polymer-rheology / extrusion literature where melt viscosities of 10⁴ to 10⁷ P are common.
It belongs to the metric measurement system.
Poise are commonly used in lubricant selection, chemical processing, and fluid dynamics.
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.
Why Convert Poise to Centipoise?
Converting between Poise and Centipoise 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 Poise to Centipoise?
The CGS unit of dynamic viscosity, equal to exactly 0. To convert Poise to Centipoise, multiply by 100. For example, 25 P equals 2500 cP.
How many Centipoise are in 1 Poise?
There are 100 Centipoise in 1 Poise.
How many Poise are in 1 Centipoise?
There are 0.01 Poise in 1 Centipoise.
What is the formula for Poise to Centipoise conversion?
The formula is: multiply by 100. This means 1 P = 100 cP.
Is a Poise bigger than a Centipoise?
No. One Poise is smaller than one Centipoise because 1 P equals 100 cP, which is greater than 1.
When do you need to convert between Poise and Centipoise?
A CGS dynamic-viscosity unit equal to exactly 0. Poise and Centipoise 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.