Temperature Units Converter

Temperature Converter

Temperature Value:

From Unit: Celsius (°C) Fahrenheit (°F) Kelvin (K) Rankine (°R) Réaumur (°Ré)

Conversion Results

20°C

Temperature Scale

-273°C

0°C

100°C

200°C

500°C

Temperature Comparison

Temperature Units

Celsius (°C)

Water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C at sea level. Used in most countries worldwide.

Fahrenheit (°F)

Water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F. Primarily used in the United States.

Kelvin (K)

Absolute thermodynamic scale where 0K is absolute zero. Used in scientific contexts.

Rankine (°R)

Absolute scale using Fahrenheit degrees. 0°R is absolute zero (-459.67°F).

Réaumur (°Ré)

Water freezes at 0°Ré and boils at 80°Ré. Historically used in parts of Europe.

Reference Points

Unit	Absolute Zero	Freezing Point	Boiling Point

Master Temperature Conversion

Your Complete Guide to Understanding and Converting Temperatures with Our Advanced Calculator

Temperature is something we experience every day, but converting between different temperature scales can be confusing. Is 20°C warm or cold? What about 68°F? And what on earth is a Kelvin? Let's make temperature conversion simple and fun!

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about temperature scales, with real-world examples, easy-to-understand formulas, and our interactive calculator that does all the math for you.

Why Do We Have Different Temperature Scales?

Think of temperature scales like different languages for describing how hot or cold something is. Just as people in different countries speak different languages, scientists and countries around the world developed different ways to measure temperature.

Simple Example:

Imagine you're planning a trip:

• You check the weather: 20°C in Paris (comfortable spring day)
• Your American friend says: "That's 68°F"
• A scientist might say: "That's 293.15K"
• They're all describing the same temperature!

Try Our Temperature Converter

Convert any temperature instantly between 5 different scales. See visual representations and understand what each temperature really means!

The Five Temperature Scales Explained

Celsius

°C

Used by: Most countries worldwide

Key Points: Water freezes at 0°C, boils at 100°C at sea level

Fun Fact: Named after Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius

Fahrenheit

°F

Used by: United States, some Caribbean countries

Key Points: Water freezes at 32°F, boils at 212°F

Fun Fact: Created by German physicist Daniel Fahrenheit

Kelvin

K

Used by: Scientists worldwide

Key Points: Absolute scale (0K = absolute zero)

Fun Fact: Named after British physicist Lord Kelvin

Rankine

°R

Used by: Some engineering fields in the US

Key Points: Absolute scale using Fahrenheit degrees

Fun Fact: Named after Scottish engineer William Rankine

Réaumur

°Ré

Used by: Historical use in parts of Europe

Key Points: Water freezes at 0°Ré, boils at 80°Ré

Fun Fact: Still used in some European cheese making!

The Simple Conversion Formulas

Don't worry about complex math - our calculator handles it for you. But here are the simple formulas if you're curious:

Celsius to Fahrenheit

°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32

Example: Convert 20°C to Fahrenheit

20 × 9/5 = 36, then 36 + 32 = 68°F

Fahrenheit to Celsius

°C = (°F - 32) × 5/9

Example: Convert 68°F to Celsius

68 - 32 = 36, then 36 × 5/9 = 20°C

Celsius to Kelvin

K = °C + 273.15

Example: Convert 20°C to Kelvin

20 + 273.15 = 293.15K

Quick Memory Trick:

"9-5-32" for Celsius to Fahrenheit (×9/5 then +32)

"32-5-9" for Fahrenheit to Celsius (-32 then ×5/9)

Both use the same numbers, just in reverse order!

What Do Temperatures Actually Feel Like?

Numbers are one thing, but what do they actually feel like? Here's a practical guide:

Celsius	Fahrenheit	What It Feels Like
-10°C	14°F	Very cold winter day
0°C	32°F	Freezing point of water
10°C	50°F	Cool autumn day
20°C	68°F	Perfect room temperature
30°C	86°F	Hot summer day
100°C	212°F	Water boils at sea level

The Temperature Color Scale

Temperature isn't just about numbers - it has colors too! Here's what different temperatures look like on a heat scale:

Very Cold

Cold

Room Temp

Hot

Very Hot

Key Reference Temperatures

These are temperatures everyone should know:

Absolute Zero

-273.15°C = -459.67°F = 0K = 0°R

The coldest possible temperature where all molecular motion stops

Human Body Temperature

37°C = 98.6°F = 310.15K

Normal body temperature (though it varies slightly)

Room Temperature

20-25°C = 68-77°F = 293-298K

Comfortable indoor temperature range

Water Boiling Point

100°C = 212°F = 373.15K

At sea level (changes with altitude!)

Altitude Matters!

Water boils at lower temperatures at higher altitudes. In Denver, Colorado (1.6km above sea level), water boils at about 95°C (203°F) instead of 100°C!

How to Use Our Temperature Converter

Step 1: Enter Your Temperature

Type in the temperature you want to convert. It can be any number - positive, negative, or even decimal.

Step 2: Choose Your Starting Scale

Select what scale your temperature is in: Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin, Rankine, or Réaumur.

Step 3: Click Convert

That's it! You'll instantly see your temperature converted to all 5 scales.

Step 4: Explore the Visualizations

Check out the thermometer visualization and comparison chart to better understand your temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions (15 Common Questions)

1. Why does the US still use Fahrenheit?

The US continued using Fahrenheit after independence for consistency. Changing an entire country's measurement system is difficult and expensive!

2. What's the easiest way to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit in my head?

Double the Celsius, subtract 10%, then add 32. Example: 20°C → 40 → 36 → 68°F. Close enough for everyday use!

3. What temperature do Celsius and Fahrenheit meet?

At -40 degrees! -40°C = -40°F. It's the only temperature where both scales show the same number.

4. Why do scientists use Kelvin instead of Celsius?

Kelvin is an absolute scale starting at absolute zero. This makes calculations involving temperature changes much simpler in physics and chemistry.

5. What's the difference between Kelvin and Rankine?

Both are absolute scales (start at absolute zero), but Kelvin uses Celsius-sized degrees while Rankine uses Fahrenheit-sized degrees.

6. How do I convert negative temperatures?

Our calculator handles negative temperatures perfectly! Just type the minus sign before your number.

7. What temperature is "room temperature"?

Typically 20-25°C (68-77°F), but it varies by personal preference and climate. Our calculator shows you exactly where your temperature falls!

8. Why is water freezing at 32°F instead of 0°F?

Fahrenheit originally set 0°F as the coldest temperature he could achieve with a salt-ice mixture, and 100°F as human body temperature. The scale was later refined.

9. Can I convert really high temperatures (like the sun's temperature)?

Yes! Our calculator handles extreme temperatures. The sun's surface is about 5,500°C (9,932°F or 5,773K).

10. What's the hottest possible temperature?

Theoretically, the Planck temperature (1.4×10³²K) is considered the maximum possible temperature in current physics.

11. Why do cooking recipes use different temperature scales?

Recipes use the scale common in their country of origin. American recipes use Fahrenheit, while most others use Celsius.

12. How accurate are the conversions?

Our calculator is extremely accurate, using precise conversion formulas. For most everyday purposes, rounded numbers work fine.

13. What's the Réaumur scale used for today?

Mainly in European cheese making and some alpine regions. It's also sometimes used in measuring sugar concentration.

14. How does altitude affect temperature conversions?

Altitude affects boiling points but not the conversion formulas themselves. The formulas work the same regardless of altitude.

15. Can I save my conversions for reference?

While our current calculator doesn't save history, you can bookmark the page with your conversion or write down the results.

Real-World Applications

Cooking and Baking

Converting oven temperatures is crucial when following international recipes. 180°C = 356°F (gas mark 4), perfect for most baking!

Travel Planning

Knowing that 30°C = 86°F helps you pack appropriately for your destination.

Science and Engineering

Different fields use different scales. Mechanical engineers might use Rankine, while chemists use Kelvin.

Weather Understanding

Understanding both Celsius and Fahrenheit helps you interpret weather reports from around the world.

Quick Reference:

Freezing: 0°C = 32°F

Comfortable: 20°C = 68°F

Hot: 30°C = 86°F

Body Temp: 37°C = 98.6°F

Boiling: 100°C = 212°F

Final Temperature Tips

Remember: Temperature is just a number describing how hot or cold something is. Different scales are like different rulers - they measure the same thing, just with different markings.

Our calculator removes all the confusion, letting you focus on what matters: understanding what the temperature actually means for your situation.

Whether you're cooking, traveling, studying, or just curious, mastering temperature conversion is a useful skill that opens up the whole world of temperature understanding!