The viscosity of a fluid is its resistance to shear or flow, and is a measure of the fluids adhesive/cohesive or frictional properties. The viscosity will arise due to internal molecular friction within a fluid producing the frictional drag effect. There are two related measures of fluid viscosity which are known as dynamic (or absolute) and kinematic viscosity.
- Dynamic, Absolute and Kinematic Viscosity - An introduction to dynamic and kinematic viscosity, and how to convert between Centistokes, Centiposes, SSU and Degree Engler
Kinematic viscosity for some common fluids are indicated below:
| Liquid | Temperature | Kinematic Viscosity | ||
| (oF) | (oC) | CentiStokes (cSt) | Seconds Saybolt Universal (SSU) | |
| Acetaldehyde CH3CHO | 61 68 |
16.1 20 |
0.305 0.295 |
36 |
| Acetic acid - vinegar - 10% CH3COOH | 59 | 15 | 1.35 | 31.7 |
| Acetic acid - 50% | 59 | 15 | 2.27 | 33 |
| Acetic acid - 80% | 59 | 15 | 2.85 | 35 |
| Acetic acid - concentrated glacial | 59 | 15 | 1.34 | 31.7 |
| Acetic acid anhydride (CH3COO)2O | 59 | 15 | 0.88 | |
| Acetone CH3COCH3 | 68 | 20 | 0.41 | |
| Alcohol - allyl | 68 104 |
20 40 |
1.60 0.90 cp |
31.8 |
| Alcohol - butyl-n | 68 | 20 | 3.64 | 38 |
| Alcohol - ethyl (grain) C2H5OH | 68 100 |
20 37.8 |
1.52 1.2 |
31.7 31.5 |
| Alcohol - methyl (wood) CH3OH | 59 32 |
15 0 |
0.74 1.04 |
|
| Alcohol - propyl | 68 122 |
20 50 |
2.8 1.4 |
35 31.7 |
| Aluminum sulfate - 36% solution | 68 | 20 | 1.41 | 31.7 |
| Ammonia | 0 | -17.8 | 0.30 | |
| Aniline | 68 50 |
20 10 |
4.37 6.4 |
40 46.4 |
| Asphalt RC-0, MC-0, SC-0 | 77 100 |
25 37.8 |
159-324 60-108 |
737-1.5M 280-500 |
| Automatic crankcase oil SAE 10W | 0 | -17.8 | 1295-max | 6M-max |
| Automatic crankcase oil SAE 10W | 0 | -17.8 | 1295-2590 | 6M-12M |
| Automatic crankcase oil SAE 20W | 0 | -17.8 | 2590-10350 | 12M-48M |
| Automatic crankcase oil SAE 20 | 210 | 98.9 | 5.7-9.6 | 45-58 |
| Automatic crankcase oil SAE 30 | 210 | 98.9 | 9.6-12.9 | 58-70 |
| Automatic crankcase oil SAE 40 | 210 | 98.9 | 12.9-16.8 | 70-85 |
| Automatic crankcase oil SAE 50 | 210 | 98.9 | 16.8-22.7 | 85-110 |
| Automotive gear oil SAE 75W | 210 | 98.9 | 4.2 min | 40 min |
| Automotive gear oil SAE 80W | 210 | 98.9 | 7.0 min | 49 min |
| Automotive gear oil SAE 85W | 210 | 98.9 | 11.0 min | 63 min |
| Automotive gear oil SAE 90W | 210 | 98.9 | 14-25 | 74-120 |
| Automotive gear oil SAE 140 | 210 | 98.9 | 25-43 | 120-200 |
| Automotive gear oil SAE150 | 210 | 98.9 | 43 - min | 200 min |
| Beer | 68 | 20 | 1.8 | 32 |
| Benzene (Benzol) C6H6 | 32 68 |
0 20 |
1.0 0.74 |
31 |
| Bone oil | 130 212 |
54.4 100 |
47.5 11.6 |
220 65 |
| Bromine | 68 | 20 | 0.34 | |
| Butane-n | -50 30 |
-1.1 | 0.52 0.35 |
|
| Butyric acid n | 68 32 |
20 0 |
1.61 2.3 cp |
31.6 |
| Calcium chloride 5% | 65 | 18.3 | 1.156 | |
| Calcium chloride 25% | 60 | 15.6 | 4.0 | 39 |
| Carbolic acid (phenol) | 65 194 |
18.3 90 |
11.83 1.26 cp |
65 |
| Carbon tetrachloride CCl4 | 68 100 |
20 37.8 |
0.612 0.53 |
|
| Carbon disulfide CS2 | 32 68 |
0 20 |
0.33 0.298 |
|
| Castor oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
259-325 98-130 |
1200-1500 450-600 |
| China wood oil | 69 100 |
20.6 37.8 |
308.5 125.5 |
1425 580 |
| Chloroform | 68 140 |
20 60 |
0.38 0.35 |
|
| Coconut oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
29.8-31.6 14.7-15.7 |
140-148 76-80 |
| Cod oil (fish oil) | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
32.1 19.4 |
150 95 |
| Corn oil | 130 212 |
54.4 100 |
28.7 8.6 |
135 54 |
| Corn starch solution, 22 Baumé | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
32.1 27.5 |
150 130 |
| Corn starch solution, 24 Baumé | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
129.8 95.2 |
600 440 |
| Corn starch solution, 25 Baumé | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
303 173.2 |
1400 800 |
| Cotton seed oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
37.9 20.6 |
176 100 |
| Crude oil 48o API | 60 130 |
15.6 54.4 |
3.8 1.6 |
39 31.8 |
| Crude oil 40o API | 60 130 |
15.6 54.4 |
9.7 3.5 |
55.7 38 |
| Crude oil 35.6o API | 60 130 |
15.6 54.4 |
17.8 4.9 |
88.4 42.3 |
| Crude oil 32.6o API | 60 130 |
15.6 54.4 |
23.2 7.1 |
110 46.8 |
| Decane-n | 0 100 |
17.8 37.8 |
2.36 1.001 |
34 31 |
| Diethyl glycol | 70 | 21.1 | 32 | 149.7 |
| Diethyl ether | 68 | 20 | 0.32 | |
| Diesel fuel 2D | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
2-6 1.-3.97 |
32.6-45.5 -39 |
| Diesel fuel 3D | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
6-11.75 3.97-6.78 |
45.5-65 39-48 |
| Diesel fuel 4D | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
29.8 max 13.1 max |
140 max 70 max |
| Diesel fuel 5D | 122 160 |
50 71.1 |
86.6 max 35.2 max |
400 max 165 max |
| Ethyl acetate CH3COOC2H3 | 59 68 |
15 20 |
0.4 0.49 |
|
| Ethyl bromide C2H5Br | 68 | 20 | 0.27 | |
| Ethylene bromide | 68 | 20 | 0.787 | |
| Ethylene chloride | 68 | 20 | 0.668 | |
| Ethylene glycol | 70 | 21.1 | 17.8 | 88.4 |
| Formic acid 10% | 68 | 20 | 1.04 | 31 |
| Formic acid 50% | 68 | 20 | 1.2 | 31.5 |
| Formic acid 80% | 68 | 20 | 1.4 | 31.7 |
| Formic acid concentrated | 68 77 |
20 25 |
1.48 1.57cp |
31.7 |
| Freon -11 | 70 | 21.1 | 0.21 | |
| Freon -12 | 70 | 21.1 | 0.27 | |
| Freon -21 | 70 | 21.1 | 1.45 | |
| Furfurol | 68 77 |
20 25 |
1.45 1.49cp |
31.7 |
| Fuel oil 1 | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
2.39-4.28 -2.69 |
34-40 32-35 |
| Fuel oil 2 | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
3.0-7.4 2.11-4.28 |
36-50 33-40 |
| Fuel oil 3 | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
2.69-5.84 2.06-3.97 |
35-45 32.8-39 |
| Fuel oil 5A | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
7.4-26.4 4.91-13.7 |
50-125 42-72 |
| Fuel oil 5B | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
26.4- 13.6-67.1 |
125- 72-310 |
| Fuel oil 6 | 122 160 |
50 71.1 |
97.4-660 37.5-172 |
450-3M 175-780 |
| Gas oils | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
13.9 7.4 |
73 50 |
| Gasoline a | 60 100 |
15.6 37.8 |
0.88 0.71 |
|
| Gasoline b | 60 100 |
15.6 37.8 |
0.64 | |
| Gasoline c | 60 100 |
15.6 37.8 |
0.46 0.40 |
|
| Glycerin 100% | 68.6 100 |
20.3 37.8 |
648 176 |
2950 813 |
| Glycerin 50% water | 68 140 |
20 60 |
5.29 1.85 cp |
43 |
| Glucose | 100 150 |
37.8 65.6 |
7.7M-22M 880-2420 |
35M-100M 4M-11M |
| Heptanes-n | 0 100 |
-17.8 37.8 |
0.928 0.511 |
|
| Hexane-n | 0 100 |
-17.8 37.8 |
0.683 0.401 |
|
| Honey | 100 | 37.8 | 73.6 | 349 |
| Ink, printers | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
550-2200 238-660 |
2500-10M 1100-3M |
| Insulating oil | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
24.1 max 11.75 max |
115 max 65 max |
| Kerosene | 68 | 20 | 2.71 | 35 |
| Jet Fuel | -30. | -34.4 | 7.9 | 52 |
| Lard | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
62.1 34.3 |
287 160 |
| Lard oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
41-47.5 23.4-27.1 |
190-220 112-128 |
| Linseed oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
30.5 18.94 |
143 93 |
| Mercury | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
0.118 0.11 |
|
| Methyl acetate | 68 104 |
20 40 |
0.44 0.32 cp |
|
| Methyl iodide | 68 104 |
20 40 |
0.213 0.42 cp |
|
| Menhaden oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
29.8 18.2 |
140 90 |
| Milk | 68 | 20 | 1.13 | 31.5 |
| Molasses A, first | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
281-5070 151-1760 |
1300-23500 700-8160 |
| B, second | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
1410-13.2M 660-3.3M |
6535-61180 3058-15294 |
| C, blackstrap | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
2630-55M 1320-16.5M |
12190-255M 6120-76.5M |
| Naphthalene | 176 212 |
80 100 |
0.9 0.78 cp |
|
| Neatstool oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
49.7 27.5 |
230 130 |
| Nitrobenzene | 68 | 20 | 1.67 | 31.8 |
| Nonane-n | 0 100 |
-17.8 37.8 |
1.728 0.807 |
32 |
| Octane-n | 0 100 |
-17.8 37.8 |
1.266 0.645 |
31.7 |
| Olive oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
43.2 24.1 |
200 |
| Palms oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
47.8 26.4 |
|
| Peanut oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
42 23.4 |
200 |
| Pentane-n | 0 80 |
17.8 26.7 |
0.508 0.342 |
|
| Petrolatum | 130 160 |
54.4 71.1 |
20.5 15 |
100 77 |
| Petroleum ether | 60 | 15.6 | 31(est) | 1.1 |
| Propionic acid | 32 68 |
0 20 |
1.52 cp 1.13 |
31.5 |
| Propylene glycol | 70 | 21.1 | 52 | 241 |
| Quenching oil (typical) |
100-120 | 20.5-25 | ||
| Rapeseed oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
54.1 31 |
250 145 |
| Rosin oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
324.7 129.9 |
1500 600 |
| Rosin (wood) | 100 200 |
37.8 93.3 |
216-11M 108-4400 |
1M-50M 500-20M |
| Sesame seed oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
39.6 23 |
184 110 |
| Sodium chloride 5% | 68 | 20 | 1.097 | 31.1 |
| Sodium chloride 25% | 60 | 15.6 | 2.4 | 34 |
| Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) 20% | 65 | 18.3 | 4.0 | 39.4 |
| Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) 30% | 65 | 18.3 | 10.0 | 58.1 |
| Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) 40% | 65 | 18.3 | ||
| Soya bean oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
35.4 19.64 |
165 96 |
| Sperm oil | 100 130 |
37.5 54.4 |
21-23 15.2 |
110 78 |
| Sulphuric acid 100% | 68 140 |
20 60 |
14.56 7.2 cp |
76 |
| Sulphuric acid 95% | 68 | 20 | 14.5 | 75 |
| Sulphuric acid 60% | 68 | 20 | 4.4 | 41 |
| Sulphuric acid 20% | 3M-8M 650-1400 |
|||
| Tar, coke oven | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
600-1760 141-308 |
15M-300M 2M-20M |
| Tar, gas house | 70 100 |
21.1 37.8 |
3300-66M 440-4400 |
2500 500 |
| Tar, pine | 100 132 |
37.8 55.6 |
559 108.2 |
200-300 55-60 |
| Toluene | 68 140 |
20 60 |
0.68 0.38 cp |
185.7 |
| Triethylene glycol | 70 | 21.1 | 40 | 400-440 185-205 |
| Turpentine | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
86.5-95.2 39.9-44.3 |
1425 650 |
| Varnish, spar | 68 100 |
20 37.8 |
313 143 |
|
| Water, distilled | 68 | 20 | 1.0038 | 31 |
| Water, fresh |
60 130 |
15.6 54.4 |
1.13 0.55 |
31.5 |
| Water, sea | 1.15 | 31.5 | ||
| Whale oil | 100 130 |
37.8 54.4 |
35-39.6 19.9-23.4 |
163-184 97-112 |
| Xylene-o | 68 104 |
20 40 |
0.93 0.623 cp |
|
- 1 cSt (centiStokes) = 10-6 m2/s
- Baumé Hydrometer



