🌡️ How to Convert Temperatures
- Enter the temperature in the first field.
- Select the unit you are converting from (e.g., Celsius).
- Select the unit you are converting to (e.g., Fahrenheit).
- The result appears instantly. You can also type in the "To" field to reverse convert!
🎯 Common Use Cases
🍳 Cooking & Baking
Convert oven temperatures from recipes written in different regions. American recipes use Fahrenheit (350°F), while European recipes use Celsius (180°C). Getting it right prevents burnt or undercooked food.
✈️ Travel & Weather
Understanding weather forecasts when traveling abroad. If a European weather app shows 25°C, that's a pleasant 77°F. Helps you pack appropriately and plan outdoor activities.
🔬 Science & Laboratory Work
Scientific research uses Kelvin and Celsius for precise measurements. Convert between scales for chemistry experiments, physics calculations, or when referencing international research papers.
🏭 Engineering & HVAC
HVAC systems, industrial processes, and mechanical engineering often require temperature conversions between imperial and metric units for equipment specifications and international standards.
🏥 Medical & Health
Body temperature readings vary by thermometer type. Normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). Convert readings when using medical equipment from different countries or referring to international health guidelines.
📚 Education & Homework
Students learning physics, chemistry, or meteorology need to convert between temperature scales for assignments, lab reports, and understanding scientific concepts like phase changes and thermodynamics.
📋 Quick Reference Table
| Description | Fahrenheit | Celsius | Kelvin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute Zero | -459.67°F | -273.15°C | 0 K |
| Water Freezes | 32°F | 0°C | 273.15 K |
| Room Temperature | 68-72°F | 20-22°C | 293-295 K |
| Body Temperature | 98.6°F | 37°C | 310.15 K |
| Water Boils | 212°F | 100°C | 373.15 K |
| Oven (Moderate) | 350°F | 180°C | 453 K |
🔢 Common Conversion Formulas
Celsius to Fahrenheit
(°C × 9/5) + 32 = °F
Example: 25°C × 9/5 + 32 = 77°F
Fahrenheit to Celsius
(°F − 32) × 5/9 = °C
Example: 77°F − 32 × 5/9 = 25°C
Celsius to Kelvin
°C + 273.15 = K
Example: 25°C + 273.15 = 298.15 K
Kelvin to Celsius
K − 273.15 = °C
Example: 298.15 K − 273.15 = 25°C
💡 Understanding Temperature Scales
🌍 Celsius (°C) - The Metric Standard
Also called Centigrade, Celsius is the most widely used temperature scale globally. It's part of the metric system and is the standard in science, medicine, and most countries worldwide.
Key Points: Water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C (at sea level). The scale makes intuitive sense for weather - below 0°C is freezing, 20-25°C is comfortable, above 30°C is hot.
🇺🇸 Fahrenheit (°F) - The American Scale
Primarily used in the United States, Cayman Islands, and a few Caribbean nations. It was designed in 1724 by physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit.
Key Points: Water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F. Human body temperature is approximately 98.6°F. The scale offers finer granularity for everyday temperatures (0-100°F covers most weather).
🔬 Kelvin (K) - The Scientific Absolute
The SI base unit for temperature, used extensively in physics, chemistry, and astronomy. It's an absolute scale starting from absolute zero - the coldest possible temperature.
Key Points: No negative numbers exist in Kelvin. 0 K is absolute zero (-273.15°C). Each degree equals one degree Celsius, making conversions simple. Note: We say "kelvin" not "degrees kelvin."
🔒 Privacy & Accuracy
This temperature converter operates entirely in your browser. All calculations are performed locally on your device with scientifically accurate conversion formulas.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is absolute zero? ▼
Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature where nothing could be colder and no heat energy remains in a substance. It is 0 Kelvin, which equals -273.15°C or -459.67°F. At this temperature, atomic motion theoretically stops completely.
Why are there different temperature scales? ▼
Celsius is based on the freezing (0°) and boiling (100°) points of water and is used by most of the world as part of the metric system. Fahrenheit was designed for more granular everyday temperature readings and is primarily used in the United States. Kelvin is the scientific absolute scale starting at absolute zero, essential for thermodynamics and physics.
Which countries use Fahrenheit vs Celsius? ▼
Only the United States, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Palau, and a few Caribbean territories use Fahrenheit as their primary temperature scale. The rest of the world (over 190 countries) uses Celsius. This makes our converter essential for international communication and travel.
Is the conversion accurate for cooking? ▼
Yes! Our converter uses precise formulas accurate to multiple decimal places. For cooking, you can round to the nearest 5 degrees - oven thermostats aren't perfectly precise anyway. For example, 350°F = 176.67°C, but setting your oven to 175-180°C will work perfectly.
Why doesn't Kelvin use the degree symbol (°)? ▼
By scientific convention, Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale and is written without the degree symbol. We say "298 kelvin" or "298 K", not "298 degrees kelvin." This distinguishes it from relative scales like Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F).
Can I convert negative temperatures? ▼
Absolutely! Negative temperatures are common in Celsius and Fahrenheit (winter weather, freezers). Note that Kelvin cannot be negative since 0 K is absolute zero. For example, -40°C = -40°F = 233.15 K. Fun fact: -40° is the only point where Celsius and Fahrenheit are equal!
How do I remember the conversion formulas? ▼
Easy memory tricks: For °F to °C, subtract 32 then divide by 2 (roughly). For °C to °F, double it and add 30 (roughly). For exact conversions, just use this tool! For Kelvin, remember that it's just Celsius + 273.15.
What's the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded? ▼
The hottest temperature on Earth was 134°F (56.7°C) in Death Valley, California (1913). The coldest was -128.6°F (-89.2°C) at Vostok Station, Antarctica (1983). In laboratories, scientists have achieved temperatures within billionths of a degree above absolute zero!