Convert Temperature from Kelvins (K) to other units

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Kelvin Conversion FormulasKelvin to degree Celsius Conversion FormulaKelvin to degree Fahrenheit Conversion FormulaKelvin to degree Rankine Conversion FormulaWhat is a Kelvin (K)?What Is Absolute Zero?Why Is the Kelvin Scale Important?How to Convert Between Kelvin and CelsiusWho Invented the Kelvin Scale?List Kelvin Converters

Kelvin Conversion Formulas

Kelvin to degree Celsius Conversion Formula

To convert from Kelvin (K) to degree Celsius (C), use the following formula:

C

= K - 273.15

Kelvin to degree Fahrenheit Conversion Formula

To convert from Kelvin (K) to degree Fahrenheit (F), use the following formula:

F

= (K - 273.15) × 95 + 32

= K × 95 - 459.67

Kelvin to degree Rankine Conversion Formula

To convert from Kelvin (K) to degree Rankine (R), use the following formula:

R

= K × 95

What is a Kelvin (K)?

The kelvin (K) is a unit of measurement for temperature, similar to the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales. What sets it apart?

Most people typically refer to temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius. Still, scientists favor Kelvin due to its status as an absolute scale. This means it starts at the lowest possible temperature in the universe, making it ideal for accurate scientific research.

It's also one of the seven base units in the International System of Units (SI).

What Is Absolute Zero?

The Kelvin scale begins at 0 K, a point known as absolute zero. This isn't just a random number—it's the theoretical temperature where all atomic motion would completely stop. It's the ultimate cold.

Unlike Celsius, where 0° is the freezing point of water, 0 K is based on a fundamental truth of the universe. This non-arbitrary starting point is why scientists in fields like physics and astronomy rely on it.

Why Is the Kelvin Scale Important?

While you won't use Kelvin to check the daily weather, it's essential in many scientific and technological fields.

  • Astronomers use it to measure the frigid temperatures of deep space and the scorching heat of stars.
  • Physicists need it for experiments in quantum mechanics and superconductivity.
  • Engineers use it when working with materials at extreme temperatures, from rocket engines to medical MRI machines.

How to Convert Between Kelvin and Celsius

The good news is that converting between Kelvin and Celsius is very easy. The size of one unit is identical in both scales, meaning a change of 1 K is the same as a change of 1 °C.

Here are the conversion formulas you need:

  • To convert Celsius to Kelvin: Add 273.15 to your Celsius temperature.
    • Formula: K = °C + 273.15
  • To convert Kelvin to Celsius: Subtract 273.15 from your Kelvin temperature.
    • Formula: °C = K - 273.15

Examples:

  • Water freezes at 0 °C, which is 273.15 K.
  • A pleasant room temperature is approximately 20 °C, which corresponds to 293.15 K.
  • Water boils at 100 °C, which is 373.15 K.

Who Invented the Kelvin Scale?

The scale is named after its inventor, the brilliant Scottish engineer and physicist William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin (1824–1907). In 1848, he introduced an "absolute" thermometric scale beginning at what he called "infinite cold" — the temperature now known as absolute zero. His work established the foundational principles of a measurement system central to modern science.

List Kelvin Converters