ISO 3448 · SAE J300 · SAE J306 · AGMA 9005

Viscosity
industrial reference table

Complete reference of 18 ISO VG grades with kinematic viscosity ranges at 40 °C and 100 °C, AGMA, SAE Motor, SAE Gear and Saybolt Universal (SUS) equivalences.

ISO VG grades (2 → 1500)

ISO 3448

base standard

±10 %

nominal tolerance

AGMA · SAE · SUS

equivalent systems

ISO VG — reference table

Click a row to highlight it

18 grades

ISO VG	min. 40 °C	nom. 40 °C	max. 40 °C	typ. 100 °C	AGMA	SAE Motor	SAE Gear	SUS 100 °F	Typical applications
2	2.0	2.2	2.4	—	—	—	—	—	Precision instruments, clockwork mechanisms
3	2.9	3.2	3.5	—	—	—	—	—	High-speed spindles, precision guides
5	4.1	4.6	5.1	—	—	—	—	—	Grinding spindles, optical mechanisms
7	6.1	6.8	7.5	—	—	—	—	—	Precision mechanisms, light hydraulic circuits
10	9.0	10	11.0	2.5	—	—	—	60	Air compressors (high speed), vacuum pumps
15	13.5	15	16.5	3.5	—	—	—	80	Spindles, high-speed bearings, hydraulic circuits
22	19.8	22	24.2	4.5	—	SAE 5W	—	110	Precision hydraulics (servomechanisms), light bearings
32	28.8	32	35.2	5.5	—	SAE 10W	—	155	Standard industrial hydraulics, compressors, circulation
46	41.4	46	50.6	6.5	1	SAE 20	SAE 75W	215	General hydraulics, light reducers, compressors
68	61.2	68	74.8	8.5	2	SAE 20/30	SAE 80W	315	Medium-speed reducers, roller bearings
100	90.0	100	110.0	11.4	3	SAE 30	SAE 90	465	Industrial gears, circulation, hydraulic cylinders
150	135.0	150	165.0	14.5	4	SAE 40	SAE 90	700	Enclosed reducers, slow-step gears
220	198.0	220	242.0	19.0	5	SAE 50	SAE 140	1,020	Medium-high load industrial reducers, cranes
320	288.0	320	352.0	24.5	6	SAE 60	SAE 140	1,485	High-load reducers, heavy industrial transmissions
460	414.0	460	506.0	32.0	7	—	SAE 250	2,135	Rolling mill reducers, heavy mining machinery
680	612.0	680	748.0	42.0	8	—	SAE 250	3,160	Open gears, very high load machinery
1000	900.0	1000	1100.0	55.0	8A	—	—	4,640	Large-module gears, very low speed applications
1500	1350.0	1500	1650.0	74.0	9	—	—	6,960	High-ratio worm gear reducers

All viscosities in cSt (mm²/s). Tolerance ±10 % of nominal per ISO 3448. SAE and AGMA equivalences are approximate — always consult equipment manufacturer.

ISO VG

ISO viscosity grade (ISO 3448). Number = nominal viscosity in cSt at 40 °C.

AGMA

AGMA 9005-F16. Applies from VG 46 only. Used for industrial gears.

SAE Motor

SAE J300. Approximate monograde equivalents. Multigrades (5W-40 etc.) cover ranges.

SAE Gear

SAE J306. For transmissions, differentials and gearboxes.

Relative viscosity scale (log)

VG 2 — fluid (water: ~1 cSt)VG 150VG 1500 — very viscous (honey: ~10 000 cSt)

The scale is logarithmic: each ISO VG grade is ~1.5× more viscous than the previous one. Water at 20 °C has ~1 cSt; SAE 30 motor oil has ~100 cSt at 40 °C.

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Use the operational viscosity calculator to predict cSt at your working temperature.

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Viscosityindustrial reference table

ISO VG — reference table

Relative viscosity scale (log)

Need to calculate your oil's actual viscosity?

Viscosity
industrial reference table