Popular conversions
1 pairsSquare Meter per Second ↔ Centistoke
m²/s ↔ cSt
Unit guides
2 unitsDetailed guide to this category
Kinematic viscosity measures a fluid's resistance to flow under gravity, defined as dynamic viscosity divided by density.
The square meter per second is the SI derived unit, while the centistoke is the standard practical unit in the oil and lubricant industry.
- Physical quantity
- Kinematic viscosity
- SI unit
- Square meter per second
- Common practical unit
- Centistoke (cSt)
- Typical use
- Fluid mechanics and lubricant classification
What is kinematic viscosity?
Kinematic viscosity is the ratio of a fluid's dynamic viscosity to its density.
It is central to fluid mechanics calculations such as the Reynolds number and pipe flow analysis.
Square meters per second and centistokes
The centistoke (cSt), equal to 1 mm²/s, is the most common practical unit used in the oil and lubricant industry for engine oil grading.
Kinematic and dynamic viscosity
Kinematic viscosity describes how readily a fluid flows under gravity and is dynamic viscosity divided by density. Dynamic viscosity measures resistance to shear directly.
The distinction matters because the same fluid can have different density at different temperatures, changing its kinematic viscosity.
Unit comparison table
| Unit | Symbol | SI equivalent | System | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Meter per Second | m²/s | SI reference unit | SI | Fluid mechanics and engineering analysis |
| Centistoke | cSt | 1 cSt = 1 mm²/s | Practical viscosity unit | Lubricants, oils and fluid specifications |
Units
| Unit | Symbol | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Square Meter per Second | m²/s | View unit guide |
| Centistoke | cSt | View unit guide |