🌡️ Temperature Converter

Quickly convert between Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), Kelvin (K) and Rankine (°R). Useful for cooking, weather, science, engineering and everyday conversions.

Temperature Converter Tool

to

Result: -

Introduction

Temperature is a basic physical property that affects everything from chemical reaction rates to human comfort. Because different regions and fields use different scales, accurate conversions are essential. This medium-length guide explains the main temperature scales, shows how conversions are done, provides a quick reference table and worked examples, and answers common questions.

Major Temperature Scales

Here are the scales you'll encounter most often:

  • Celsius (°C) — the most widely used everyday scale worldwide. Water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C (at 1 atm).
  • Fahrenheit (°F) — used primarily in the United States. Water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F.
  • Kelvin (K) — the SI unit for scientific work. Kelvin uses absolute zero as 0 K; water freezes at 273.15 K.
  • Rankine (°R) — an absolute-scale equivalent to Kelvin but using Fahrenheit-size degrees. Common in some engineering contexts.

Conversion Formulas (Simple)

Use these formulas for manual conversions. They are the same formulas used by the converter above.

  • Celsius → Fahrenheit: (°C × 9/5) + 32 = °F
  • Fahrenheit → Celsius: (°F − 32) × 5/9 = °C
  • Celsius → Kelvin: °C + 273.15 = K
  • Kelvin → Celsius: K − 273.15 = °C
  • Fahrenheit → Kelvin: (°F − 32) × 5/9 + 273.15 = K
  • Kelvin → Fahrenheit: (K − 273.15) × 9/5 + 32 = °F
  • Any ↔ Rankine: Rankine = (Kelvin × 9/5) and Kelvin = Rankine × 5/9

Quick Reference Table

Common point°C°FK°R
Absolute zero−273.15−459.6700
Water freezes032273.15491.67
Human body3798.6310.15558.27
Water boils100212373.15671.67

Worked Examples

Example 1 — Celsius to Fahrenheit: Convert 25°C. (25 × 9/5) + 32 = 77°F.

Example 2 — Fahrenheit to Celsius: Convert 68°F. (68 − 32) × 5/9 ≈ 20°C.

Example 3 — Celsius to Kelvin: 0°C + 273.15 = 273.15 K.

When to Use Each Scale

  • Everyday weather & cooking: Use Celsius (global) or Fahrenheit (U.S.).
  • Science & engineering: Use Kelvin for thermodynamic equations and absolute temperature.
  • Specialized engineering: Rankine may appear in older US engineering literature; convert to Kelvin for SI work.

Common Mistakes & Tips

  • Forget the +32/−32 step: When switching between °C and °F you must shift zero first (±32) before scaling.
  • Watch the 273.15 offset: Kelvin is not 'degrees', so always add/subtract 273.15 when moving to/from Celsius.
  • Rounding: Keep a couple of extra decimals during calculation, round only for display.
  • Label your units: Always show the unit after a numeric conversion to avoid confusion.

FAQs

What is absolute zero?

Absolute zero is the theoretical temperature where particles have minimal motion: 0 K, which equals −273.15°C (or −459.67°F).

Why does Kelvin start at 0 but Celsius does not?

Kelvin is an absolute scale that uses absolute zero as its zero point; Celsius is a practical scale based on the properties of water.

How do I convert oven temperatures for recipes?

Multiply or use the converter: typical mapping — 180°C ≈ 356°F (often rounded to 350°F in baking). Check specific recipe notes for fan vs conventional ovens.

Is Rankine used much today?

Rankine is less common but still appears in some thermodynamic engineering contexts in the United States. For most users, Kelvin is preferred.

Conclusion

Temperature conversion is a frequent, practical need. This tool and guide let you convert accurately between Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin and Rankine, while the article and table provide context and common-use guidance. Bookmark this page for quick reference when cooking, studying, or working on technical projects.