Temperature Converter
Convert between temperature units instantly. Results update as you type.
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What This Tool Does
Converts between Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin instantly in your browser — enter any value and see all three results simultaneously.
Who This Is For
- Scientists and students converting between Celsius and Kelvin for chemistry or physics calculations
- Travelers who see temperatures in Fahrenheit but think in Celsius, or vice versa
- Cooks and bakers converting oven temperatures between US and metric recipes
- Anyone who encounters a temperature in an unfamiliar scale and needs a quick reference
Example: Input: 98.6°F (normal body temperature) → Output: Celsius: 37.0°C · Kelvin: 310.15 K — shown simultaneously with no extra steps
How to Convert Temperature Units
Enter a temperature value in any field and the other two units update instantly. The converter handles all three major scales: Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K).
- Type a value in the Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Kelvin field
- The other two values update immediately
- Negative values work correctly, including below absolute zero detection
Temperature Conversion Formulas
| From → To | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| °C → °F | (°C × 9/5) + 32 | 100°C = 212°F |
| °F → °C | (°F − 32) × 5/9 | 98.6°F = 37°C |
| °C → K | °C + 273.15 | 0°C = 273.15 K |
| K → °C | K − 273.15 | 373.15 K = 100°C |
| °F → K | (°F − 32) × 5/9 + 273.15 | 32°F = 273.15 K |
| K → °F | (K − 273.15) × 9/5 + 32 | 0 K = −459.67°F |
Key Temperature Reference Points
| Temperature | Celsius | Fahrenheit | Kelvin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute zero | −273.15°C | −459.67°F | 0 K |
| Water freezes | 0°C | 32°F | 273.15 K |
| Room temperature | 20–22°C | 68–72°F | 293–295 K |
| Normal body temp | 37°C | 98.6°F | 310.15 K |
| Water boils (sea level) | 100°C | 212°F | 373.15 K |
| Oven: moderate heat | 180°C | 356°F | 453 K |
| Oven: very hot | 230°C | 446°F | 503 K |
Celsius vs Fahrenheit vs Kelvin — Where Each Is Used
- Celsius (°C) is used in everyday life by nearly every country in the world. It defines 0° as the freezing point and 100° as the boiling point of water at sea level.
- Fahrenheit (°F) is the primary temperature scale in the United States, its territories, and, to a lesser extent, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands. Human body temperature (98.6°F) and weather reporting use it daily in the US.
- Kelvin (K) is the SI unit of temperature and is used exclusively in scientific and engineering contexts. It starts at absolute zero (the coldest possible temperature) and uses the same increment size as Celsius. Notice there is no degree symbol — it's "300 K", not "300°K".
- Rankine (°R) is a lesser-known scale used in some US engineering contexts. It starts at absolute zero like Kelvin but uses Fahrenheit-sized increments.
Related Measurement Converters
Temperature is one of several conversions needed in cooking, science, and travel:
- Convert weight — grams and ounces for ingredient measurements
- Convert volume — cups, ml, and fl oz for liquid measurements
- Convert length — pan dimensions and baking measurements
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature scales are supported?▼
Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K). Rankine and Réaumur are available in the advanced options.
What is 0 Kelvin?▼
0 Kelvin (absolute zero) is the theoretical minimum temperature — the point at which all molecular motion stops. It equals -273.15°C or -459.67°F. It is physically impossible to reach exactly 0 K.
What are the key reference temperatures?▼
Water freezes at 0°C / 32°F / 273.15K. Water boils at 100°C / 212°F / 373.15K. Normal human body temperature is approximately 37°C / 98.6°F / 310.15K. Room temperature is roughly 20–22°C / 68–72°F.
Why does the Fahrenheit scale seem awkward?▼
Fahrenheit was set with 0°F as the temperature of a salt/ice/water mixture and 96°F as body temperature (later recalibrated). The result is a scale with no intuitive reference points. Celsius uses water's freeze and boil points as 0 and 100 — far more logical for cooking and science. Pair with the Volume Converter and Weight Converter for complete recipe conversion, which is far more logical.
When is Kelvin used?▼
Kelvin is used in science, physics, chemistry, and astronomy. Many physical laws (like gas laws) require absolute temperatures in Kelvin. It is also used in photography and display technology to describe color temperature (warm light is ~2700K, daylight is ~6500K).
How do I do a quick Celsius to Fahrenheit mental conversion?▼
Multiply by 2 and add 30 for a rough estimate (not exact but fast). For example, 20°C × 2 = 40 + 30 = 70°F (actual: 68°F). For exact: multiply by 9/5 and add 32.
What is absolute zero?▼
Absolute zero is 0 Kelvin, or -273.15°C, or -459.67°F. It is the theoretically lowest possible temperature.
How It Works
1
Enter a value in any unitType a number into any temperature field. All other units update simultaneously in real time.
2
Read the conversionsAll equivalent values in Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin are shown at once — no need to convert one pair at a time.
3
Copy the resultClick any field to select the value and copy it to use in your calculation or document.
When to Use This Tool
- →Converting temperature measurements from a recipe, specification, or document that uses a different unit system
- →Quickly checking the temperature equivalent when shopping, cooking, or following instructions in unfamiliar units
- →Converting temperature values from metric to imperial (or vice versa) for a report or form
- →Double-checking a temperature conversion calculation manually
🔒 Privacy & Security
Temperature Converter runs entirely in JavaScript in your browser with no external requests. Conversion formulas are applied locally — no values are uploaded. The tool works offline after the page loads.
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