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Liquid Viscosity Lookup

Find viscosity values for pump selection and fluid handling. Values in mPa·s (= cP).

Viscosity Scale — What Does It Feel Like?

1 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000+

mPa·s (= cP)

💧

Water

~1 mPa·s

Flows instantly

🥛

Milk

~3 mPa·s

Pours easily

🫒

Olive Oil

~80 mPa·s

Slow pour

🍯

Honey

~2,000 mPa·s

Thick, sticky

🧴

Toothpaste

~100,000 mPa·s

Won't flow alone

Viscosity Unit Converter

mPa·s (= cP)

Pa·s

Poise (P)

cP (= mPa·s)

1 Pa·s = 1000 mPa·s = 10 Poise = 1000 cP

Substance	Temperature	Viscosity (mPa·s)
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Note: 1 mPa·s = 1 cP (centipoise). Viscosity varies with temperature — higher temps = lower viscosity. Values are approximate and may vary based on grade and composition.

Why Viscosity Matters

Viscosity is critical for selecting the right pump type and sizing. High-viscosity liquids require positive displacement pumps (gear, lobe, progressive cavity), while low-viscosity liquids work well with centrifugal pumps.

Pump Selection Guidelines

< 100 mPa·s: Centrifugal pumps work well
100-1000 mPa·s: Consider gear or lobe pumps
> 1000 mPa·s: Progressive cavity or peristaltic pumps recommended
> 10000 mPa·s: Heated lines and specialized pumps needed