How many centipoise are in one poise?

Exactly 100 centipoise (cP) equal 1 poise (P). The "centi-" prefix means one hundredth, so 1 cP = 0.01 P.

What is the viscosity of water in these units?

Water at 20 °C has a dynamic viscosity of approximately 0.01002 P, which equals about 1.002 cP. This is why centipoise is the preferred unit for low-viscosity liquids.

What is the difference between poise and centipoise?

Both are CGS units of dynamic viscosity. Poise (P) is the base unit defined as dyne·s/cm². Centipoise (cP) is one hundredth of a poise. Centipoise is more practical for everyday fluids since most common liquids have viscosities in the 1–1000 cP range.

How do poise and centipoise relate to SI units?

1 poise = 0.1 pascal-second (Pa·s). Therefore 1 centipoise = 0.001 Pa·s = 1 millipascal-second (mPa·s). Centipoise and millipascal-second are numerically equal.

When would I use poise instead of centipoise?

Poise is more convenient for highly viscous materials like heavy oils, polymers, or resins where viscosity values run into the tens or hundreds of poise. Centipoise is preferred for water-like liquids and most industrial fluids.

Poise to Centipoise Converter

Enter a value in poise and instantly get the equivalent in centipoise (1 P = 100 cP).

Dynamic Viscosity Converter

Poise (P)

Centipoise (cP)

Conversion Formula

cP = P × 100

P = cP ÷ 100

The centipoise is exactly one hundredth of a poise. The conversion factor is exact by definition.

Common Viscosity References

Fluid	P	cP
Water (20 °C)	0.01002	1.002
Olive oil (25 °C)	0.84	84
Honey (20 °C)	20	2000
SAE 30 motor oil	1.1	110
Air (25 °C)	0.000184	0.0184

SI Equivalence

1 cP = 1 mPa·s (millipascal-second). Centipoise and millipascal-second are numerically equal, making it easy to compare CGS and SI viscosity data.

Summary

Poise (P) and centipoise (cP) are CGS units of dynamic viscosity. One poise equals exactly 100 centipoise, making the conversion straightforward multiplication. Centipoise is the more common unit in practical applications — water at 20 °C has a viscosity of approximately 1 cP.

How it works

Enter a value in poise in the input field.
The converter multiplies the poise value by 100.
The result in centipoise appears instantly.
Use the swap button to convert centipoise back to poise.
Copy the result with one click.

Use cases

Convert viscosity data from lab reports that use poise to centipoise for material datasheets.
Cross-check fluid viscosity values when switching between CGS unit systems.
Verify pump and pipe flow calculations that require centipoise inputs.
Convert polymer melt viscosity readings for processing equipment specs.
Translate viscosity measurements for lubricant and oil formulation work.
Check viscosity unit consistency in chemical engineering simulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-14 · Reviewed by Nham Vu