What is being measured?
Thermal diffusivity describes heat diffusion in a stated material model. Its squared-length-per-time dimensions do not make it kinematic viscosity.
Thermal diffusivity has the same dimensions as kinematic viscosity but describes heat diffusion rather than fluid momentum diffusion.
Choose a unit definition
Symbols, prefixes and conventions matter. Each row links to a definition, a worked example and a comparison table. Units of different quantities are kept separate even when symbols or dimensions look similar.
Square meters per second (m²/s)
Definition, reference values and linked conversions.
Square millimeters per second (mm²/s)
Definition, reference values and linked conversions.
Square centimeters per second (cm²/s)
Definition, reference values and linked conversions.
Square feet per hour (ft²/h)
Definition, reference values and linked conversions.
Choose the conversion direction
Start with the unit attached to the original measurement. Select the unit needed by the receiving report, specification or formula. Conversion tools preserve the measured quantity; calculating another property can require additional measured inputs and assumptions.
Precision and common mistakes
- Keep the source and target quantity consistent. A matching symbol is not enough to establish a compatible definition.
- Record the original measurement precision. Showing twelve significant digits in a table does not make a rounded input more precise.
- Check symbol capitalization, prefixes and any regional convention in the source. Use the displayed unit definition rather than a similarly named unit.
- Factors involving repeating fractions or π use finite numerical precision. Round the final answer to the precision justified by your input.
Use a working converter
- Thermal diffusivity converter
- Square meters per second to Square millimeters per second converter (thermal diffusivity)
- Square millimeters per second to Square meters per second converter (thermal diffusivity)
- Square meters per second to Square centimeters per second converter (thermal diffusivity)
- Square centimeters per second to Square meters per second converter (thermal diffusivity)
- Square meters per second to Square feet per hour converter (thermal diffusivity)
Source and verification scope
Examples and tables are computed from the versioned unit definitions used by the linked converters. The source access dates appear below. Computandum is independent of the cited organizations; a citation does not mean that a publisher endorses this page or an actual project.