Temperature Converter
Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.
How Temperature Conversion Works
Temperature conversions use well-known linear formulas. We convert the source value to Celsius as an intermediate step and then to the destination unit to avoid accumulated rounding differences.
Common References
- 0°C = 32°F = 273.15 K
- 37°C ≈ 98.6°F (average human body temperature)
- 100°C = 212°F (water boiling at standard pressure)
Practical Advice
- Use Celsius or Kelvin for scientific work; Fahrenheit is common for everyday weather in some countries.
- When precision matters, keep at least two decimal places for temperature readings.
Temperature measurement connects everyday experience with scientific precision. Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F) are commonly used for weather, cooking and daily references, while Kelvin (K) is the absolute scale used in physics and engineering because it starts at absolute zero. Accurate temperature conversion matters when transferring experimental results, cooking instructions or HVAC specifications between systems.
Conversion formulas are linear: °F = °C × 9/5 + 32, and K = °C + 273.15. Examples make these relationships practical: 25°C ≈ 77°F; 100°C = 212°F and equals 373.15 K. In laboratory work, Kelvin is essential for calculations involving thermodynamic equations and absolute scales, while engineers often prefer Celsius for material property references.
Historical context: temperature scales emerged as thermometry improved during the 17th–19th centuries. Fahrenheit was useful in certain regional contexts, while Celsius (originally centigrade) and Kelvin provided scales better aligned with scientific measurement and the metric system. Today, choosing the right scale depends on the domain—weather forecasts may use Fahrenheit in some countries for public familiarity, while scientific publications use Kelvin.
Practical advice: when precision matters, keep two decimal places for lab work and one decimal place for weather reporting. Avoid rounding during intermediate calculations—convert at the end for display. Use this converter to check cooking temperature adjustments, interpret sensor data, or standardize readings for international teams.
Use cases include converting instrument outputs for data logging, converting oven temperatures in recipes, or translating meteorological data for cross-border reporting. Clear examples and consistent rounding rules reduce errors and improve the reliability of results, making this converter a practical tool for students, professionals and hobbyists alike.