Temperature Converter
Type in any field — Celsius, Fahrenheit or Kelvin — and all three update instantly, with full formula steps shown.
Reference points — click to load
Step-by-step solution
Type a temperature to see the conversion working
All six formulas
Real-world temperatures
Temperature Converter Explained
Core concepts, classroom applications, and plain-English explanations for all audiences.
Where you'll actually use this
You're making an American brownie recipe. It says "bake at 350°F." Your oven only shows Celsius. Or you're checking a child's temperature and their thermometer reads 38.5°C — is that a high fever? (Yes.) Or you're watching American news and they say it's 95°F outside. Celsius–Fahrenheit conversion is a life skill, not just a school topic.
Worked example
"A US recipe says 375°F. What temperature is that in °C?"
Formula: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9
Step 1: 375 − 32 = 343
Step 2: 343 × 5/9 = 190.6°C
Result: Set oven to 190°C (or Gas Mark 5)
Quick check: 32°F = 0°C, 212°F = 100°C, 98.6°F = 37°C (normal body temperature).
Temperature landmarks
- → −273.15°C = 0 K: Absolute zero — the coldest possible temperature. Nothing can be colder. All molecular motion stops.
- → −40° is the same in both: The Celsius and Fahrenheit scales cross at −40. A handy way to check if a formula is right.
Common mistake
Forgetting the −32 step. Students often just multiply by 5/9 without subtracting 32 first. The −32 shifts the zero point before rescaling.
Understanding Temperature Conversion: Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin
Temperature is a fundamental measurement in science and everyday life, but different scales are used around the world and in various scientific contexts. Our interactive Temperature Converter helps you easily switch between Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K) – the three most common temperature scales.
Whether you're a GCSE Physics student needing to understand the formulas, a traveller checking the weather, or simply curious, this tool provides instant, live conversions. Type a value into any field, and the others update automatically. We also show you the exact mathematical steps involved, helping you grasp the 'how' behind the numbers, alongside a visual thermometer to represent the temperature.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Converting Fahrenheit to Celsius by doing (x * 5/9) - 32:The subtraction of 32 must happen before multiplying by 5/9. The 32-degree difference between the scales' freezing points needs to be accounted for first. Fahrenheit to Celsius: (x - 32) * 5/9
- Using '°K' for Kelvin:Kelvin is an absolute scale, meaning 0 K represents absolute zero. Unlike Celsius and Fahrenheit, it does not use a degree symbol (°). Always write 'K' for Kelvin, e.g., 273 K, not 273 °K.
- Converting Celsius to Fahrenheit by doing (x + 32) * 9/5:The multiplication by 9/5 (or 1.8) must happen before adding 32. This accounts for the different size of the degree units first. Celsius to Fahrenheit: (x * 9/5) + 32
- Mixing up the 9/5 and 5/9 factors:It's easy to confuse which fraction to use. Remember that a Fahrenheit degree is smaller than a Celsius degree, so to go from C to F, you multiply by the larger factor (9/5). To go from F to C, you multiply by the smaller factor (5/9). C to F uses 9/5 (or 1.8); F to C uses 5/9 (or 0.555...).