Kinematic Viscosity Conversion Calculator

Advanced Kinematic Viscosity Converter

Kinematic Viscosity Converter

Convert between various kinematic viscosity units

Conversion Result
0.0001
cm²/second
Recent Conversions

About Kinematic Viscosity

Kinematic viscosity is a measure of a fluid's internal resistance to flow under gravitational forces. It is the ratio of the dynamic viscosity to the density of the fluid.

The SI unit for kinematic viscosity is square meters per second (m²/s), but the more common unit is the stokes (St) or centistokes (cSt), where 1 St = 10⁻⁴ m²/s and 1 cSt = 1 mm²/s.

Key applications: Kinematic viscosity is crucial in fluid dynamics, lubrication engineering, and petroleum industries for characterizing how easily a fluid flows.



1. Introduction

Kinematic viscosity is a fundamental property of fluids that describes their resistance to flow under gravity. It is defined as the ratio of dynamic viscosity (μ) to density (ρ) of the fluid and is expressed as:

ν=μρ

Different industries and regions use various units to measure kinematic viscosity. A Kinematic Viscosity Conversion Calculator helps convert between these units quickly and accurately.


2. Common Units of Kinematic Viscosity

The most commonly used units for kinematic viscosity include:

UnitSymbolEquivalent in SI (m²/s)
Square meter per secondm²/s1 m²/s (SI unit)
StokesSt1 St = 10⁻⁴ m²/s
CentistokescSt1 cSt = 10⁻⁶ m²/s
Square foot per secondft²/s1 ft²/s ≈ 0.0929 m²/s
Square inch per secondin²/s1 in²/s ≈ 6.4516 × 10⁻⁴ m²/s

3. How a Kinematic Viscosity Conversion Calculator Works

A kinematic viscosity conversion calculator allows users to:

  • Input a value in one unit.

  • Select the desired output unit.

  • Get the converted value instantly.

Conversion Formulas

The calculator uses the following relationships:

ConversionFormula
Stokes to m²/sνm2/s=νSt×104
Centistokes to m²/sνm2/s=νcSt×106
ft²/s to m²/sνm2/s=νft2/s×0.0929
in²/s to m²/sνm2/s=νin2/s×6.4516×104

Example Calculation

Convert 50 cSt to m²/s:

50cSt=50×106m²/s=5×105m²/s

4. Applications of Kinematic Viscosity Conversion

  • Lubrication Engineering: Selecting the right oil viscosity for machinery.

  • Petroleum Industry: Measuring fuel and lubricant properties.

  • Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics: Analyzing fluid flow behavior.

  • Chemical Processing: Ensuring proper mixing and flow rates.

  • Automotive & Aerospace: Testing hydraulic fluids and coolants.


5. Features of a Good Kinematic Viscosity Calculator

  • Multiple Unit Support: Converts between St, cSt, m²/s, ft²/s, in²/s, etc.

  • User-Friendly Interface: Simple input/output fields.

  • Accuracy: Precise conversion factors.

  • Mobile & Web Compatibility: Works on different devices.

  • Additional Tools: May include dynamic viscosity and density calculators.