How to Convert Temperatures From Kelvin to Celsius

Worked Temperature Unit Conversion Example

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How to Convert Temperatures From Kelvin to Celsius." ThoughtCo, Mar. 15, 2017, thoughtco.com/temperatures-from-kelvin-to-celsius-609309. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2017, March 15). How to Convert Temperatures From Kelvin to Celsius. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/temperatures-from-kelvin-to-celsius-609309 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How to Convert Temperatures From Kelvin to Celsius." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/temperatures-from-kelvin-to-celsius-609309 (accessed October 21, 2017).
Usually you'll convert a Kelvin temperature to a Celsius value for calculations.
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Updated March 15, 2017

This example problem illustrates the method to convert temperatures from Kelvin to Celsius.

Kelvin To Celsius (K to C) Problem:

What is the temperature in °C of a 256 K object?


Solution:

The conversion formula for °C to K is

TC = (TK) - 273

TC = 256 - 273
TC = -17 °C


Answer:

The temperature in Celsius of a 256 K object is -17 °C.

Temperature Conversion Formulas