Temperature Conversion Formulas

Celsius, Kelvin, and Fahrenheit Temperature Conversions

All degrees are not created equal! It's important to be able to convert between temperatures scales.
All degrees are not created equal! It's important to be able to convert between temperatures scales. Steven Taylor / Getty Images
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 November 04, 2019

The three common temperature scales are Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin. Each scale has its uses, so it's likely you'll encounter them and need to convert between them. Fortunately, the conversion formulas are simple:

Celsius to Fahrenheit ° F = 9/5 ( ° C) + 32
Kelvin to Fahrenheit ° F = 9/5 (K - 273) + 32
Fahrenheit to Celsius ° C = 5/9 (° F - 32)
Celsius to Kelvin K = ° C + 273
Kelvin to Celsius ° C = K - 273
Fahrenheit to Kelvin K = 5/9 (° F - 32) + 273

Useful Temperature Facts

  • Celsius and Fahrenheit are the same at -40°.
  • Water boils at 100°C or 212°F.
  • Water freezes at 0°C and 32°F.
  • Absolute zero is 0 K.
  • Celsius and Fahrenheit are degree scales. The degree symbol is not used to report temperature using the Kelvin scale.
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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Temperature Conversion Formulas." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/temperature-conversion-formulas-609324. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). Temperature Conversion Formulas. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/temperature-conversion-formulas-609324 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Temperature Conversion Formulas." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/temperature-conversion-formulas-609324 (accessed June 1, 2023).
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