Knowing how to convert temperature can be a pretty useful when dealing with recipes or weather reports in different units. In this article, we’ll look at the basics of temperature conversion, introduce various units of temperature and highlight the key formulas you need to switch between them.
Key Takeaways
- Wrap your head around Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin
- Discover how to easily convert different temperatures
- Feeling lazy? Just use our free calculator! 😉
How to Convert Temperature
Are you trying to figure out how to convert temperature measurements between Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin? No worries, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to keep this pretty simple, so let’s dive right in.
With temperature conversion, it’s just a matter of using the right formulas.
Below are the three essential formulas you’ll need:
- Celsius to Fahrenheit: F = C × 9/5 + 32
- Fahrenheit to Celsius: C = (F – 32) × 5/9
- Celsius to Kelvin: K = C + 273.15
Now, let’s say you have a temperature reading of 25°C and want to convert it to Fahrenheit.
To do this, simply follow the first formula:
F = 25 × 9/5 + 32 ≈ 77°F (Celsius to Fahrenheit)
Easy, right? The same goes for converting Fahrenheit to Celsius. Here’s an example to convert 68°F to Celsius:
C = (68 – 32) × 5/9 ≈ 20°C (Fahrenheit to Celsius)
Converting between Celsius and Kelvin is also a breeze. To convert 20°C into Kelvin:
K = 20 + 273.15 = 293.15 K
And there you have it!
These three formulas will ensure that you never get puzzled by temperature conversions again.
Conversion | Formula |
---|---|
Celsius to Fahrenheit | F = C × 9/5 + 32 |
Fahrenheit to Celsius | C = (F – 32) × 5/9 |
Celsius to Kelvin | K = C + 273.15 |
Once you’ve got these formulas nailed down, temperature conversions will be an absolute breeze.
Units of Temperature
You might wonder, “What are the different units of temperature, and how do I convert them?”
Let’s go through them all step by step, and, hopefully, by the end, you’ll be able to convert temperatures like a proper pro!
Celsius
First up is the Celsius scale.
The Celsius scale, named after Anders Celsius, who introduced it way back in 1742. This is probably the most common temperature unit around the world. It’s probably the one we are also most familiar with – think of your kettle and you’ll probably think of it boiling your water to a 100°C.
The freezing point of water in this scale is at 0°C (zero degrees Celsius), and the boiling point is at 100°C.
Converting Celsius to the other two units is straightforward, and here’s the formula to help you out:
- To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit:
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
- To convert Celsius to Kelvin:
K = °C + 273.15
Fahrenheit
Now, let’s move on to Fahrenheit.
This unit, named after Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, is more commonly used in the United States.
On this scale, the freezing point of water is at 32°F (thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit), while the boiling point is at 212°F.
Converting Fahrenheit to the other temperature units can be done using these formulas:
- To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius:
°C = (°F - 32) × 5/9
- To convert Fahrenheit to Kelvin:
K = (°F + 459.67) × 5/9
Kelvin
And last, but not least, we have the Kelvin scale, which is primarily used in scientific research. It’s named after Lord Kelvin, who introduced it in 1848.
This unit is unique because it begins at absolute zero (0 K), the lowest possible temperature where all molecular motion stops.
Unlike the other two units, Kelvin doesn’t use “degrees” before its symbol, just “K.” When you want to convert temperatures to and from Kelvin, use these formulas:
- To convert Kelvin to Celsius:
°C = K - 273.15
- To convert Kelvin to Fahrenheit:
°F = (K × 9/5) - 459.67
So there you have it! Now you’re familiar with the three most common temperature units and how to convert them.
Good To Know
Did you know that reaching absolute zero, the lowest temperature possible, is scientifically impossible?
The reason for this is to do with the amount of work necessary to remove heat from a substance.
The colder you try to go then the more work that’s required. It’s impossible to hit zero kelvins without an infinite amount of work.
Absolute Zero is the lowest possible temperature and is equivalent to -459.67°F, -273.15°C, and 0 Kelvin.
How to Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit
The easy way to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit is by using a (relatively) simple formula.
To convert any temperature in Celsius to Fahrenheit, this is the formula to use:
Fahrenheit = (Celsius × 9/5) + 32
Let’s break it down. Here’s what you need to do:
- Multiply the Celsius temperature by 9/5: This is the conversion factor that relates the two temperature scales.
- Add 32: Why 32? That’s because the freezing point of water in Fahrenheit is at 32°F, while in Celsius, it’s at 0°C.
Now, let’s put it into practice! Say you want to convert 25°C to Fahrenheit. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Multiply 25 by 9/5:
(25 × 9/5) = 45
- Add 32 to the result:
45 + 32 = 77
Voilà! 25°C is equal to 77°F.
Pro tip: Instead of doing the math in your head, you can use our online temperature conversion calculator
How to Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius
Converting temperatures between these two common scales is actually a piece of cake.
Let’s dive right in and learn how to do it together.
The formula for converting Fahrenheit to Celsius is also pretty straightforward:
Celsius = (Fahrenheit - 32) × 5/9
Now, let’s break it down step by step.
- Subtract 32: Start by taking the Fahrenheit temperature and subtracting 32. This will help account for the difference at the starting point of each scale (0°C = 32°F).
- Multiply by 5/9: Next, multiply the result from the previous step by 5/9. This part of the formula is essential because it scales the difference in temperature according to the relation between the two units (1°C = 9/5°F).
Alright, let’s put this formula to the test! Say you want to convert 68°F into Celsius. Here’s how it works:
- Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature:
68 - 32 = 36
- Multiply the result by 5/9:
36 × 5/9 ≈ 20
68°F is approximately 20°C. Easy-peasy, right?
To make this process even easier, you can use this handy little table to look up common Fahrenheit-to-Celsius conversions quickly.
Fahrenheit | Celsius |
---|---|
32°F | 0°C |
50°F | 10°C |
68°F | 20°C |
86°F | 30°C |
104°F | 40°C |
Now that you’ve got the hang of it, you should be able to convert any Fahrenheit temperature to Celsius. So next time you’re talking to your international friends about the weather, you’ll be able to switch smoothly between temperature scales. 😉
How to Convert Celsius to Kelvin
The formula to convert Celsius to Kelvin is possibly the simplest in this article:
K = C + 273.15
Here, K
represents the temperature in Kelvin and C
denotes the temperature in Celsius.
Just add 273.15 to your Celsius temperature, and voilà, you have the Kelvin equivalent!
Let’s look at an example – imagine you want to convert 25°C (a fairly warm day) to Kelvin. Using the formula above, you’ll find the temperature to be:
K = 25 + 273.15 = 298.15 K
Easy as pie, right? You can use this formula to convert any Celsius value to Kelvin.
To make your temperature conversion journey even smoother, follow these 3 simple steps:
- Jot down your Celsius temperature: This is the value you’d like to convert to Kelvin – e.g., 25°C.
- Add 273.15: Simply add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature you wrote above
- Your celsius temperature 25 + 273.15 = 298.15 k (the Kelvin temperature equivalent)
Good To Know
- The Boiling Point of water is 212°F, 100°C, and 373.15 Kelvin.
How to Convert Kelvin to Celsius
The formula used to convert Kelvin to Celsius is:
Celsius = Kelvin - 273.15
As you might have noticed, it’s the opposite of the formula that we use to convert Celsius to Kelvin.
Now, all that’s required is plugging in the Kelvin temperature and we can convert it by doing some simple subtraction. Subtract 273.15 from the Kelvin temperature, and you’ll have your answer in Celsius.
If you have a temperature of 300 Kelvin. To convert it to Celsius, just follow the formula:
Celsius = 300 - 273.15
Celsius ≈ 26.85
And there you have it! 300 Kelvin is approximately 26.85 degrees Celsius.
But wait, it gets even better! You can also use this conversion table for quick and easy reference:
So, the next time you stumble upon a temperature in Kelvin, just remember the simple formula, and you’ll be converting temperatures like a pro! Happy converting!
How to Convert Fahrenheit to Kelvin
To convert Fahrenheit to Kelvin, you can use the following formula:
K = (F - 32) × 5/9 + 273.15
Now that you have the formula, let’s review it step by step.
- Subtract 32: Start by subtracting 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature. This will give you the temperature difference between Fahrenheit and Celsius. For example, if the temperature is 68°F, the difference would be 68 – 32 = 36.
- Multiply by 5/9: Next, multiply the temperature difference by 5/9. In our example, multiply 36 by 5/9. This converts the temperature difference to Celsius. 36 × 5/9 ≈ 20.
- Add 273.15: Finally, add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature to convert it to Kelvin. In our example, add 273.15 to 20, which equals 293.15.
A little tip to make your life a little easier: You can find many online calculators that can do this conversion for you, but we think we have the best one here.
How to Convert Kelvin to Fahrenheit
To convert from Kelvin to Fahrenheit, you can use the following equation:
Fahrenheit = (Kelvin - 273.15) * 9/5 + 32
This small bit of maths may seem a little complicated at the outset, so let’s go through an example together.
Imagine you have a temperature of 300 K and you want to know what it is in Fahrenheit. Using the formula above, here’s your step-by-step process:
- Subtract 273.15 from the Kelvin temperature:
(300 - 273.15) = 26.85
- Multiply the result by 9/5:
26.85 * 9/5 = 48.33
- Add 32 to the result:
48.33 + 32 = 80.33
Voilà! Your temperature in Fahrenheit is 80.33°F. See, that wasn’t too hard, right?
Sometimes, you might find yourself in situations where you’ll need to convert multiple temperatures. In that case, you can create a table to make things easier to follow and more organized.
Here’s an example for some Kelvin temperatures:
Kelvin | Fahrenheit Conversion |
---|---|
273.15 | 32 |
300 | 80.33 |
310 | 98.33 |
Conclusion
Hopefully, we’ve provided you with the knowledge to convert the various temperatures units. It’s one of those life skills that may come in handy when you need to interpret weather reports, cook recipes, or understand scientific experiments. If this isn’t the case, then at least you’ll be able to dazzle your mates with your newfound knowledge!
To recap, let’s list the main conversion formulas:
- Celsius to Fahrenheit:
(°C × 9/5) + 32
- Fahrenheit to Celsius:
(°F - 32) × 5/9
- Celsius to Kelvin:
°C + 273.15
- Kelvin to Celsius:
K - 273.15
When converting temperatures, remember the different temperature scales’ reference points. For instance, the freezing point of water is 0°C, 32°F, and 273.15 K. By using the formulas provided, you can easily switch between these measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert Celsius to Fahrenheit?
Great question! To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, you can use the following formula:
°F = (°C * 9/5) + 32
First, multiply your Celsius value by 9/5, then add 32 to get the temperature in Fahrenheit. For example, if you have a temperature of 30°C, the conversion would look like this:
°F = (30 * 9/5) + 32 = 86°F
Good To Know
- The Freezing Point of water is 32°F, 0°C, and 273.15 Kelvin.
What is the formula for Fahrenheit to Celsius?
No worries! Converting Fahrenheit to Celsius is just as easy. Here’s the formula:
°C = (°F - 32) * 5/9
Kelvin | Celsius |
---|---|
250 | -23.15 |
260 | -13.15 |
270 | -3.15 |
280 | 6.85 |
290 | 16.85 |
300 | 26.85 |
310 | 36.85 |
Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value and then multiply the result by 5/9. For instance, if you have a temperature of 86°F, the calculation would be:
°C = (86 - 32) * 5/9 ≈ 30°C
How can you change Kelvin to Celsius?
Converting Kelvin to Celsius is a breeze! Simply use this formula:
°C = K - 273.15
Subtract 273.15 from the Kelvin value to get the Celsius temperature. For example, if you’re starting with 300K, the conversion would be:
°C = 300 - 273.15 ≈ 26.85°C
Good To Know
- The Normal Body Temperature for humans is approximately 98.6°F, 37°C, and 310.15 Kelvin.
What’s the easiest way to convert Celsius to Kelvin?
Just as simple as the previous conversions! To change Celsius to Kelvin, use the following formula:
K = °C + 273.15
Add 273.15 to your Celsius temperature, and you’ll get the value in Kelvin. For instance, if you have a temperature of 26.85°C, the conversion is:
K = 26.85 + 273.15 = 300K
How do I convert Fahrenheit to Kelvin?
You got it! First, convert Fahrenheit to Celsius using the formula mentioned earlier. Then, convert the Celsius value to Kelvin. Here’s a step-by-step example starting with 86°F:
- Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius:
°C = (86 - 32) * 5/9 ≈ 30°C
- Convert Celsius to Kelvin:
K = 30 + 273.15 = 303.15K
Voilà! 86°F is approximately equal to 303.15K.
What is the simplest method to convert Kelvin to Fahrenheit?
Good news: it’s equally straightforward! First, convert Kelvin to Celsius, followed by converting Celsius to Fahrenheit. Here’s an example for 300K:
- Convert Kelvin to Celsius:
°C = 300 - 273.15 ≈ 26.85°C
- Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit:
°F = (26.85 * 9/5) + 32 ≈ 80.33°F
And there you have it, 300K is roughly 80.33°F!