Temperature Converter

Temperature Converter

With this calculator you can easily convert temperatures between Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin, Rankine and Reaumur. It works by applying the appropriate formulas for each scale and also shows the steps used in the conversion.

Temperature conversions sometimes seem simple, such as changing from Celsius to Kelvin, but they become more complicated when converting Celsius to Fahrenheit or other scales. This tool makes things easy. You just need to enter the value in your chosen unit, and the calculator will instantly show the result in any other scale you choose.

This means you don’t have to remember different formulas or solve calculations by hand. Just type in your temperature, select the unit you want to convert to, and get an accurate result in seconds. It saves time and effort, while also giving you a clear idea of how different temperature scales relate to each other.

If you are curious about the formulas behind these conversions, you can also check out the reference section below to learn how each temperature scale is calculated. This way, you not only get quick answers but also understand the logic behind the conversions.

What is Temperature?

Common terms in science are not easy to explain, and temperature is one of them. We all know what hot and cold feel like, but it is not easy to give a clear meaning to temperature. To understand it properly, we look to physics, mainly thermodynamics and statistical physics, which mixes thermodynamics with quantum physics.

The good thing is, when we dig a little deeper, the idea is simple: temperature means speed, or the motion of the molecules and atoms in any substance. When the temperature increases, the particles move faster; that is, the molecules move faster. This combines with thermal energy and shows that heat is another form of kinetic energy.

Temperature Units

We can measure temperature in different units. The three main units are Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F) and Kelvin (K). Kelvin is the SI unit of temperature, while Celsius and Fahrenheit are the most common in daily use.

Celsius

The Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius created the Celsius scale in 1742, and it was later named after him. This scale, also called centigrade, marks 0° as the freezing point of water and 100° as the boiling point. We write temperatures in this scale in °C. The normal human body temperature is 37°C.

Fahrenheit

Daniel Gabriel created the Fahrenheit scale, and it bears his name. In this scale, water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F. We write temperatures in °F in this scale. The normal temperature of the human body is 98.6°F.

Kelvin

The kelvin is the SI unit of temperature, and its symbol is K. It was named after the physicist William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin (1824–1907). In Kelvin, we do not use the degree symbol °, unlike Celsius and Fahrenheit.

How does a Temperature Unit Calculator Work?

The online temperature converter helps you enter a number and select both the starting unit and the unit you want. It quickly displays the converted value using simple conversion rules.

  • Source unit selection:

From the dropdown, select the unit you want to use first (such as Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin, Rankine, or Reaumur).

  • Entering a value to convert:

Type the number you want to convert to another unit.

  • Destination unit selection:

Select the unit you want to convert the number to.

  • Automatic conversion:

The calculator immediately gives the new value and clearly shows the result.

Temperature Conversion Formulas

Use these simple temperature formulas to convert readings from one scale to another.

Celsius conversion formula

ConversionFormula
Celsius to Fahrenheit°F = °C × 9/5 + 32
Celsius to KelvinK = °C + 273.15
Celsius to Rankine°R = °C × 9/5 + 491.67
Celsius to Réaumur°Ré = °C × 4/5

Fahrenheit conversion formula

Conversion TypeFormula
Fahrenheit to Celsius°C = (°F − 32) × 5/9
Fahrenheit to KelvinK = (°F + 459.67) × 5/9
Fahrenheit to Rankine°R = °F + 459.67
Fahrenheit to Réaumur°Ré = (°F − 32) × 4/9

Kelvin Conversion Formula

Conversion TypeFormula
Kelvin to Celsius°C = K − 273.15
Kelvin to Fahrenheit°F = K × 9/5 − 459.67
Kelvin to Rankine°R = K × 9/5
Kelvin to Réaumur°Ré = (K − 273.15) × 4/5

Rankine Conversion Formula

Conversion TypeFormula
Rankine to Celsius°C = (°R − 491.67) × 5/9
Rankine to Fahrenheit°F = °R − 459.67
Rankine to KelvinK = °R × 5/9
Rankine to Réaumur°Ré = (°R − 491.67) × 4/9

Réaumur Scale Conversion Formula

ConversionFormula
Réaumur to Celsius°C = °Ré × 5/4
Réaumur to Fahrenheit°F = °Ré × 9/4 + 32
Réaumur to KelvinK = °Ré × 5/4 + 273.15
Réaumur to Rankine°R = °Ré × 9/4 + 491.67

Kelvin SI Metric Prefix Temperature Units

These temperature units are part of the SI system and come from the kelvin, which is the basic SI unit for measuring temperature.

  • Quactokelvin (qK) – 1 × 10⁻³⁰ K
  • Rontokelvin (rK) – 1 × 10⁻²⁷ K
  • Yoctokelvin (yK) – 1 × 10⁻²⁴ K
  • Zeptokelvin (zK) – 1 × 10⁻²¹ K
  • Attokelvin (aK) – 1 × 10⁻¹⁸ K
  • Femtokelvin (fK) – 1 × 10⁻¹⁵ K
  • Picokelvin (pK) – 1 × 10⁻¹² K
  • nanokelvin (nK) – 1 × 10⁻⁹ K
  • Microkelvin (µK) – 0.000001 K
  • Millikelvin (mK) – 0.001 K
  • Centikelvin (cK) – 0.01 K
    Decikelvin (dK) – 0.1 K
  • Kelvin (K) – 1 K
  • Dekelvin (dK) – 10 K
  • Hectokelvin (hK) – 100 K
  • Kilokelvin (kK) – 1,000 K
  • Megakelvin (MK) – 1,000,000 K
  • Gigakelvin (GK) – 1 × 10⁹ K
  • Terrakelvin (TK) – 1 × 10¹² K
  • Petakelvin (PK) – 1 × 10¹⁵ K
  • exakelvin (EK) – 1 × 10¹⁸ K
  • Zettakelvin (ZK) – 1 × 10²¹ K
  • Yottakelvin (YK) – 1 × 10²⁴ K
  • Ronkelvin (RK) – 1 × 10²⁷ K
  • Quetakelvin (QK) – 1 × 10³⁰ K

How to use an online temperature converter?

Now, let’s look at the simple steps to use an online temperature converter:

  • Enter a number in the box and select a unit from the list (Celsius/Fahrenheit/Kelvin).
  • Select the unit you want to convert it to from the options.
  • Click the “Convert” button to get the new temperature in the unit you selected.

What are the benefits of using a temperature converter?

Here are some of the main benefits of using a temperature converter:

  • Convenience: The temperature converter helps you quickly and easily convert values between Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin without having to do difficult calculations by hand.
  • Accuracy: When you use an online temperature converter, you can accurately convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, Celsius to Kelvin, and other units in seconds, which reduces errors in manual math.
  • Free: Center Point School’s online temperature converter is free, so students can use it anytime without paying anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is temperature?

Temperature indicates how hot or cold an object or body is. It depends on the kinetic energy of the tiny particles inside the object. When the temperature increases, the particles move faster. When the temperature decreases, the particles move slower.

2. Why are different temperature scales used?

We use different temperature scales because of history and science. Most countries use the Celsius scale for daily temperatures. In the United States, people use the Fahrenheit scale more. Scientists use the Kelvin scale because it measures temperature from absolute zero.

3. Are there any other temperature scales besides Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin?

Yes, there are other scales. For example, the Rankine scale is used in some engineering work, mostly in the United States. It is similar to the Fahrenheit scale but starts at absolute zero, which is marked as 0°R.