How to use a Viscosity Cup

Once the viscosity cup is truly horizontal (this is best achieved using a cup stand and bubble level), cover the exit orifice and fill the cup making sure that the meniscus of the liquid is above the rim of the cup.

Using the glass draw plate, remove the meniscus into the overflow ring and close the cup.

Open the exit orifice and remove the glass draw plate. Time between the removal of the glass draw plate and the first break in the liquid's flow is measured.

 

Viscosity Cup Reference Table - For information Purposes Only

Cup Type	Range (cSt)		Time (seconds)		Advised Standard Oil	Kinematic Viscosity** (cSt)	Drain Time** (seconds)
	Minimum	Maximum	Minimum	Maximum
DIN 4	96	683	25	150	S200	460	101.5
ISO 3	7	42	30	100	S20	34	82.5
ISO 4	34	135	30	100	N35	66	47
ISO 5	91	326	30	100	N100	230	71
ISO 6	188	684	30	100	S200	460	68
ASTM 1	10	35	55.5	106.5	N10 or C10*	17	69.5
ASTM 2	25	120	35.5	87.5	S20 or C20*	34	41.5
ASTM 3	49	220	28	102	S60 or C60*	120	58.5
ASTM 4	70	370	23	101	S60 or C60*	120	35.5
ASTM 5	200	1200	18.5	101	S200 or C200*	460	40
ZAHN 1	5	56	33.5	80	N10 or C10*	17	44.5
ZAHN 2	21	231	20	80	S60 or C60*	120	48
ZAHN 3	146	848	20	80	S200 or C200*	460	47
ZAHN 4	222	1110	20	80	S200 or C200*	460	36
ZAHN 5	460	1840	20	80	N350 or C350*	850	36.5
AFNOR 2.5	5Cps	140Cps	30	250	S60	120	***
AFNOR 4	50Cps	1100Cps	20	300	S200	460	***
AFNOR 6	510Cps	5100Cps	30	300	S600	1600	***

* With the 'S' and 'N' prefix you have dynamic viscosity, kinematic viscosity and density at different temperatures; with the 'C' prefix, kinematic viscosity and drain time is at 25ºC (77ºF) for Zahn, Ford and Shell Cups.

** Kinematic viscosity and drain times mentioned above are approximate values at 25ºC (77ºF). Exact values will be displayed on the standard oil bottle.

*** For comparison only.

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