Viscosity Cup Converter | Ford, Zahn, DIN, Shell
With this online viscosity cup converter (Ford, Zahn, DIN, Shell) calculator, you can convert between all major viscosity cups with temperature and material corrections. Enter your reading, select your cup, and optionally add temperature and material type for spray adjustment advice.
Ford Cup #4
Most common in Australian panel shops. Standard for waterborne and solvent basecoats. Typical spray range 18–30 sec.
Zahn Cups
#2 for thin coatings and basecoats, #3 for medium, #4-5 for primers and heavier materials. Common with US product lines.
Shell Cups
Widely used in industrial and printing ink applications. #2-4 suit most automotive coatings across a wide viscosity range.
DIN / ISO / AFNOR
European standards. DIN 4 and ISO 4mm are dimensionally similar. AFNOR #4 matches DIN 4 values closely in practice.
Temperature Effect
Paint TDS specs are written at 20°C. Every 10°C rise reduces viscosity by roughly 15–25% depending on solvent type. Always measure at application temperature.
SSU / Centipoise
SSU (Saybolt Universal Seconds) is a US oil industry standard. Centipoise (cP) is the absolute viscosity unit used in technical data sheets.
OZWRAPS™ Spray-On PPF
Australian made spray-on PPF peelable protective coating for professional installers.
The Viscosity Cup Converter is a professional-grade tool designed for accurate conversion between Ford, Zahn, DIN, and Shell viscosity cups, helping spray painters, panel shops, and coating professionals achieve consistent application results. It simplifies complex viscosity measurements by translating readings across multiple standards, ensuring compatibility between different paint systems and international specifications. Whether working with automotive refinishing, industrial coatings, or spray-on protective films, this tool helps maintain correct spray viscosity for optimal finish quality, reducing defects such as runs, orange peel, or poor atomisation. Ideal for both workshop use and technical reference, it supports faster decision-making and more consistent results across all coating applications.
Viscosity Cup Converter | Ford, Zahn, DIN, Shell by OZWRAPS™ – Australian Made Spray-On PPF. Conversion values are approximations based on published industry data for normal paints and not spray-on PPF. Temperature and material adjustments are indicative only. Always verify against your coating manufacturer’s TDS for critical applications. This tool does not constitute professional advice.