Convert Centistokes to Square Centimeters per Second

Formula

cm²/s = cSt ÷ 100

Derivation from SI units:

• 1 cSt = 0.01 St = 10⁻⁶ m²/s = 1 mm²/s
• 1 cm²/s = 10⁻⁴ m²/s = 1 St
• 1 cSt = 0.000001 m²/s ÷ 0.0001 m²/s per cm²/s = 0.01 cm²/s

Both units are defined exactly, so the factor is exact. Centistokes definition: centistokes; Square Centimeter per Second definition: square centimeter per second.

Worked examples

1. A reading of 20 cSt converts to 0.2 cm²/s.
   20 cSt × 0.01 = 0.2 cm²/s
2. A value of 100 cSt is 1 cm²/s.
   100 cSt × 0.01 = 1 cm²/s

Where it's used

Centistokes are used for oil and lubricant viscosity, while square centimeters per second appear in diffusion coefficients (gases in air ≈ 0.1–0.2 cm²/s). Both measure kinematic viscosity (dynamic viscosity divided by density), so the conversion is a fixed factor.

Centistokes to other kinematic viscosity units

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), NIST Special Publication 811, 2008 Edition, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Appendix B.8, "centistokes (cSt)".
• The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition (SI Brochure), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures , Table 2 with SI prefix centi.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-15. Factors are stored exactly and computed with 50-digit decimal arithmetic. See how we verify conversion factors.