How to Convert Fahrenheit to Kelvin

Formula and example for converting Fahrenheit to Kelvin

ThoughtCo / Maritsa Patrinos

By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on August 02, 2022

Fahrenheit and Kelvin are two common temperature scales. The Fahrenheit scale is used in the United States, while Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale, used worldwide for scientific calculations. While you might think this conversion wouldn't occur much, it turns out there is a lot of scientific and engineering equipment that uses the Fahrenheit scale! Fortunately, it is easy to convert Fahrenheit to Kelvin.

Fahrenheit to Kelvin Method #1

  1. Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature.
  2. Multiply this number by 5.
  3. Divide this number by 9.
  4. Add 273.15 to this number.

The answer will be the temperature in Kelvin. Note that while Fahrenheit has degrees, Kelvin does not.

Fahrenheit to Kelvin Method #2

You can use the conversion equation to perform the calculation. This is especially easy if you have a calculator that allows you to enter the whole equation, but it's not difficult to solve by hand.

TK = (TF + 459.67) x 5/9

For example, to convert 60 degrees Fahrenheit to Kelvin:

TK = (60 + 459.67) x 5/9

TK = 288.71 K

Fahrenheit to Kelvin Conversion Table

You can also estimate a temperature by looking up the closest value on a conversion table. There is a temperature where the Fahrenheit and Celsius scales read the same temperature. Fahrenheit and Kelvin read the same temperature at 574.25.

Fahrenheit (°F) Kelvin (K)
-459.67 °F 0 K
-50 °F 227.59 K
-40 °F 233.15 K
-30 °F 238.71 K
-20 °F 244.26 K
-10 °F 249.82 K
0 °F 255.37 K
10 °F 260.93 K
20 °F 266.48 K
30 °F 272.04 K
40 °F 277.59 K
50 °F 283.15 K
60 °F 288.71 K
70 °F 294.26 K
80 °F 299.82 K
90 °F 305.37 K
100 °F 310.93 K
110 °F 316.48 K
120 °F 322.04 K
130 °F 327.59 K
140 °F 333.15 K
150 °F 338.71 K
160 °F 344.26 K
170 °F 349.82 K
180 °F 355.37 K
190 °F 360.93 K
200 °F 366.48 K
300 °F 422.04 K
400 °F 477.59 K
500 °F 533.15 K
600 °F 588.71 K
700 °F 644.26 K
800 °F 699.82 K
900 °F 755.37 K
1000 °F 810.93 K

Do Other Temperature Conversions

Converting Fahrenheit to Kelvin is not the only temperature conversion you may need to know. You may want to learn to convert between Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin in any combination

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How to Convert Fahrenheit to Kelvin." ThoughtCo, Aug. 2, 2022, thoughtco.com/convert-fahrenheit-to-kelvin-609231. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2022, August 2). How to Convert Fahrenheit to Kelvin. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/convert-fahrenheit-to-kelvin-609231 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How to Convert Fahrenheit to Kelvin." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/convert-fahrenheit-to-kelvin-609231 (accessed March 8, 2023).

Watch Now: Difference Between Fahrenheit and Celsius