Kinematic Viscosity of Air (ν)
Reference table, calculator, and chart for kinematic viscosity of air over a range of temperatures
Kinematic Viscosity of Air Calculator
Enter a temperature in Celsius or Kelvin to estimate kinematic viscosity of air:
Kinematic Viscosity of Air Table
| Temperature (°C) | ν (m²/s) |
|---|---|
| -20 | 1.10e-5 |
| -10 | 1.18e-5 |
| 0 | 1.27e-5 |
| 10 | 1.36e-5 |
| 15 | 1.41e-5 |
| 20 | 1.46e-5 |
| 25 | 1.48e-5 |
| 30 | 1.53e-5 |
| 40 | 1.62e-5 |
| 50 | 1.72e-5 |
| 60 | 1.81e-5 |
| 70 | 1.90e-5 |
| 80 | 1.99e-5 |
| 90 | 2.08e-5 |
| 100 | 2.16e-5 |
Kinematic Viscosity of Air Graph
About Kinematic Viscosity of Air (ν)
Kinematic viscosity (ν) is the ratio of a fluid's dynamic viscosity (μ) to its density (ρ):
ν = μ / ρ
It describes how easily a fluid flows under the influence of gravity and is a fundamental property in
fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, HVAC, and aerospace engineering.
Standard Reference Value
At 15°C (288.15 K) and 1 atm pressure, the kinematic viscosity of dry air is approximately 1.41×10⁻⁵ m²/s. This value serves as a standard reference for engineering calculations, CFD simulations, and thermodynamic modeling.
Factors Affecting Kinematic Viscosity
Kinematic viscosity depends on both dynamic viscosity and air density. It generally increases with temperature and plays a critical role in:
- Fluid Mechanics: Modeling laminar and turbulent airflow in ducts, fans, turbines, and compressors.
- Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer: Calculating convective heat transfer, energy losses, and thermal efficiency.
- HVAC Design: Designing ventilation, heating, and cooling systems for optimal performance.
- Aerospace & Aerodynamics: Predicting boundary layer behavior, drag, and aircraft performance.
- Environmental Engineering: Simulating airflow, pollutant dispersion, and ventilation efficiency.
How Engineers Use Kinematic Viscosity
Engineers and scientists combine kinematic viscosity with other atmospheric properties—such as air density, dynamic viscosity, and temperature—to accurately model air behavior in CFD simulations, flow systems, ventilation networks, and thermal system designs.
Using reliable kinematic viscosity data ensures precision in flow modeling, energy efficiency calculations, HVAC optimization, aerodynamic simulations, and thermal management, making it an indispensable reference for engineering and scientific applications.