Centistokes (cSt)
The centistokes (cSt) is one hundredth of a stokes, exactly 1 mm²/s. Water at 20 °C is about 1.0 cSt.
Symbol: cSt
Quantity: kinematic viscosity (dynamic viscosity divided by density)
SI relation: 1 cSt = 0.000001 m²/s (exact)
Derivation: 1 cSt = 0.01 St = 10⁻⁶ m²/s = 1 mm²/s
Exact: yes, by definition
Same quantity as square millimeter per second (mm²/s) : the factor between them is exactly 1.
Typical uses
- Oil and lubricant viscosity
- Silicone fluids sold by cSt grade (e.g. 350 cSt)
- Kinematic viscometer results (ASTM D445)
Convert centistokes to other units
| Conversion | 1 cSt equals | Reverse |
|---|---|---|
| centistokes to square meter per second | 0.000001 m²/s | square meter per second to centistokes |
| centistokes to square millimeter per second | 1 mm²/s | square millimeter per second to centistokes |
| centistokes to stokes | 0.01 St | stokes to centistokes |
| centistokes to square foot per second | 0.00001076391042 ft²/s | square foot per second to centistokes |
| centistokes to square centimeter per second | 0.01 cm²/s | square centimeter per second to centistokes |
Open the Kinematic Viscosity Converter to convert any value between all units.
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)".
Last reviewed: . Factors are stored exactly and computed with 50-digit decimal arithmetic. See how we verify conversion factors.
Cite this page
APA
Scientific Converters. (2026, October 15). Centistokes (cSt). Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://scientificconverters.com/units/centistokes/
IEEE
Scientific Converters, "Centistokes (cSt)," scientificconverters.com. Accessed: Oct. 17, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://scientificconverters.com/units/centistokes/