Temperature Conversion - Formula, Examples, Conversions (2024)

Temperature conversion is the process of changing the value of temperature from one unit to another. Learn about the temperature conversion formulas as you scroll down. We measure temperature on scales like Kelvin, Celsius, and Fahrenheit, etc. According to the Kelvin scale, the freezing point and the boiling point of water are 273.15K and 373.15K respectively. According to the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point and the boiling point of water are 32°F and 212°F respectively. According to the Celsius scale, the freezing point and the boiling point of water are 0°C and 100°C respectively. There can be three main conversions of temperature which are possible:

• Between Celsius and Kelvin.
• Between Fahrenheit and Kelvin.
• Between Celsius and Fahrenheit.

Let us learn more about the temperature conversion and the formulas along with examples.

What are Temperature Conversion Formulas?

Temperature conversion formulas are defined as the conversion formulas for changing the value of temperature from one unit to another. They are various distinct temperature conversion methods. Kelvin, Celsius, and Fahrenheit are the most commonly used scales for temperature measurement. Here are the temperature conversion formulas:

• Celsius to Kelvin: K = C + 273.15
• Kelvin to Celcius: C = K - 273.15
• Fahrenheit to Celcius: C = (F-32) (5/9)
• Celsius to Fahrenheit: F = C(9/5) + 32
• Fahrenheit to Kelvin: K = (F-32) (5/9) + 273.15
• Kelvin to Fahrenheit: F = (K-273.15) (9/5) + 32

Before learning the temperature conversion formulas, let us recall the units of temperature in detail.

Units of Temperature

Different units can be used to record the temperature. The three different units used for measuring temperature are Celsius (°C) Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K). Kelvin is the SI unit of measuring temperature, whereas Fahrenheit and Celsius are commonly used scales.

Celsius

Celsius scale was Invented in 1742 by Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius and hence named after him. Celsius, also called centigrade, is based on the freezing point of water which is 0°, and the boiling point of water which is 100° The temperature in celsius is represented with °C. Normal human body temperature is 37°C.

Fahrenheit

The Fahrenheit scale is a temperature scale developed by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit and hence named after him. This scale has the boiling point of water at 212° F and the freezing point at 32° F. The temperature in Fahrenheit is represented with °F. The normal human body temperature is 98.6°F.

Kelvin

Kelvin is the SI unit of temperature. The unit symbol is K. It is named after the physicist William Thomson, 1^st Baron Kelvin (1824–1907). Here the degree symbol ° is not used to represent the temperature, unlike in Celsius or Fahrenheit.

Temperature Conversion Formulas Between Celsius and Kelvin

Conversion of temperature between Celsius and Kelvin is done using the following formulas:

• The temperature conversion formula from Celsius to Kelvin is:
  K = C + 273.15
• The temperature conversion formula from Kelvin to Celcius is:
  C = K − 273.15

Example: Convert 16°C into Kelvin.

Solution:

C = 16°C (Given). Using the Celsius to Kelvin conversion formula,

K = C + 273.15

= 16 + 273.15

= 289.15 K

Therefore, 16°C is equivalent to 289.15 K.

Temperature Conversion Formulas Between Fahrenheit and Celsius

Conversion of temperature between Fahrenheit and Celsius is done using the following formulas:

• The temperature conversion formula from Fahrenheit to Celsius is:
  C = (F − 32) × 5/9
• The temperature conversion formula from Celsius to Fahrenheitis:
  F = C(9/5) + 32

Example: What is 115°F on the Celsius scale?

Solution:

F = 115°F.

Using Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion formula,

C = (F − 32) × 5/9

= (115 − 32) × (5/9)

= 46.11°F

Therefore, 115°F is 46.11°C on the centigrade scale.

Temperature Conversion Formulas Between Fahrenheit and Kelvin

Conversion of temperature between Fahrenheit and Kelvin is done using the following formulas:

• The temperature conversion formula from Fahrenheit to Kelvin is:
  K = (F − 32) × 5/9 + 273.15
• The temperature conversion formula from Kelvin to Fahrenheit is:
  F = (K – 273.15) × 9/5 + 32

Example: Convert 100 degrees Fahrenheit to Kelvin.

Solution:

Temperature in Fahrenheit, F = 100 F(Given). Using Fahrenheit to Kelvin Formula,

K = (F − 32) × 5/9 + 273.15

=(100 − 32) × 5/9 + 273.15

= 310.93 K

Therefore, 100 degree Fahrenheit = 310.93 K

Temperature Conversion Table

Here is a temperature conversion table for your easy reference! The table includes the freezing point of water, the normal body temperature in humans, and the boiling point of water in all units of temperatures.

Tips and Tricks on Temperature Conversion Formulas:

• A simple trick to remember the temperature conversion formula without fractions is 5(°F)= 9(°C) +160.
• Another trick to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit is to multiply 1.8 to the Celsius degree and add 32.
• To find the approximate temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, subtract 30 from the Celsius and then divide by 2.

☛Related Topics:

• Unit Conversion
• Temperature Conversion Calculator
• Celsius to Fahrenheit Calculator

FAQs on Temperature Conversion Formulas

What is Temperature Conversion Formula?

Temperature conversion formulas help in calculating the conversion change in the value of temperature from one unit to another. The most commonly used scales for temperature measurement include Kelvin, Celsius, and Fahrenheit.

• Celsius to Fahrenheit Conversion: °F = (9/5) × (°C) + 32
• Fahrenheit to Celsius Conversion: °C = (5/9) × (°F − 32)
• Celsius to Kelvin Conversion: K = °C + 273.15
• Fahrenheit to Kelvin Conversion: K = °F + 457.87

How do you Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit Fast?

To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit quickly, multiply 1.8 to the Celsius degree and 32 to get the Fahrenheit equivalent. You could also double the Celsius degree and reduce it by 10% (which is basically 1.8 times) and add 32 to it.

What is Celsius to Kelvin Temperature Formula?

The Celsius to Kelvin formula is the temperature conversion formula to convert temperature value from Celsius to Kelvin using the formula, K = C + 273.15

How are the Variables In the Temperature Conversion Formula Related?

The variables in the temperature formulas are related with some constant values or conversion facts as given below.

• Temperature Conversion: Celsius and Kelvin

K = C + 273.15 and C = K − 273.15

• Temperature Conversion: Fahrenheit and Celsius

C = (F − 32) × 5/9 and F = C(9/5) + 32

• Temperature Conversion: Fahrenheit and Kelvin

K = (F − 32) × 5/9 + 273.15 and F = (K – 273.15) × 9/5 + 32

What are the 4 Units of Temperature?

There are three temperature scales used commonly in our day-to-day lives: kelvin (K), centigrade or Celsius (C), and Fahrenheit (F). A fourth scale, known as the Rankine (R) temperature scale, is quite less often used, comparatively. The Kelvin is the S.I. unit of temperature measurement.

How to Use Temperature Conversion Formulas?

To use temperature conversion formulas

• Step 1: Check for the unit of the given temperature values.
• Step 2: Identify the unit to convert the given temperature to.
• Step 3: Apply the appropriate formula: K = C + 273.15 and C = K − 273.15, C = (F − 32) × 5/9 and F = C(9/5) + 32, K = (F − 32) × 5/9 + 273.15 and F = (K – 273.15) × 9/5 + 32

Which is Better Celsius or Fahrenheit?

The celsius scale is good for measuring the temperature of the water. But Fahrenheit is more precise and for convenience, people measure the air temperature using the Fahrenheit scale.