How to compare celsius and fahrenheit

Fahrenheit to Celsius ►

0 degrees Celsius is equal to 32 degrees Fahrenheit:

0 °C = 32 °F

The temperature T in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) is equal to the temperature T in degrees Celsius (°C) times 9/5 plus 32:

T(°F) = T(°C) × 9/5 + 32

or

T(°F) = T(°C) × 1.8 + 32

Example

Convert 20 degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit:

T(°F) = 20°C × 9/5 + 32 = 68 °F

Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion table

Celsius (°C) Fahrenheit (°F) Description
-273.15 °C -459.67 °F absolute zero temperature
-50 °C -58.0 °F  
-40 °C -40.0 °F  
-30 °C -22.0 °F  
-20 °C -4.0 °F  
-10 °C 14.0 °F  
-9 °C 15.8 °F  
-8 °C 17.6 °F  
-7 °C 19.4 °F  
-6 °C 21.2 °F  
-5 °C 23.0 °F  
-4 °C 24.8 °F  
-3 °C 26.6 °F  
-2 °C 28.4 °F  
-1 °C 30.2 °F  
0 °C 32.0 °F freezing/melting point of water
1 °C 33.8 °F  
2 °C 35.6 °F  
3 °C 37.4 °F  
4 °C 39.2 °F  
5 °C 41.0 °F  
6 °C 42.8 °F  
7 °C 44.6 °F  
8 °C 46.4 °F  
9 °C 48.2 °F  
10 °C 50.0 °F  
11 °C 51.8 °F  
12 °C 53.6 °F  
13 °C 55.4 °F  
14 °C 57.2 °F  
15 °C 59.0 °F  
16 °C 60.8 °F  
17 °C 62.6 °F  
18 °C 64.4 °F  
19 °C 66.2 °F  
20 °C 68.0 °F  
21 °C 69.8 °F room temperature
22 °C 71.6 °F  
23 °C 73.4 °F  
24 °C 75.2 °F  
25 °C 77.0 °F  
26 °C 78.8 °F  
27 °C 80.6 °F  
28 °C 82.4 °F  
29 °C 84.2 °F  
30 °C 86.0 °F  
31 °C 87.8 °F  
32 °C 89.6 °F  
33 °C 91.4 °F  
34 °C 93.2 °F  
35 °C 95.0 °F  
36 °C 96.8 °F  
37 °C 98.6 °F average body temperature
38 °C 100.4 °F  
39 °C 102.2 °F  
40 °C 104.0 °F  
50 °C 122.0 °F  
60 °C 140.0 °F  
70 °C 158.0 °F  
80 °C 176.0 °F  
90 °C 194.0 °F  
100 °C 212.0 °F boiling point of water
200 °C 392.0 °F  
300 °C 572.0 °F  
400 °C 752.0 °F  
500 °C 932.0 °F  
600 °C 1112.0 °F  
700 °C 1292.0 °F  
800 °C 1472.0 °F  
900 °C 1652.0 °F  
1000 °C 1832.0 °F  

Fahrenheit to Celsius ►

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Depending on where you live in the world, you either use the Fahrenheit or the Celsius temperature scale. Converting between the two is easier than you may expect. A couple of simple formulas can help you estimate or exactly convert between the temperature scales.

If you're living in the United States, you're probably accustomed to reading temperatures in Fahrenheit. On a summer day with the sun beating down on you, it may feel like almost 100 degrees, while a winter day may feel closer to 40 degrees. Yet, if you were living in almost any other country in the world, you're likely used to reading temperatures in Celsius. In this case, 40 degrees describes a hot summer day, while zero degrees would be more typical of a winter day.

The Fahrenheit scale was created by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724. He originally created the scale to measure temperature using mercury thermometers, which he also invented. The Celsius scale was created by Anders Celsius in 1742. But when the scale was first introduced, Celsius used the reverse of today's scale. He labeled 0 as the boiling point of water and 100 as the freezing point. After Celsius' death, Swedish taxonomist Carl Linnaeus flipped the Celsius scale into what it is today, making 100 represent boiling temperature and 0 as the freezing point.

How to Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit Quickly

This formula will help you make a close estimate for a Fahrenheit temperature when you're converting from Celsius. This is a great formula to do quickly in your head. Simply multiply the Celsius temperature by 2 and add 30 to it:

(Celsius temp. x 2) + 30 = Fahrenheit temp.

Here's an example using 30 degrees C.

(30 x 2) + 30 = 90 degrees F.

This is pretty close to the 86 degrees F reading you'd get using the more precise method (explained later).

How to Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius Quickly

To do a rough approximation of Celsius using Fahrenheit, reverse the earlier formula. Subtract 30 from the Fahrenheit degrees, then divide your answer by 2.

(Fahrenheit temp. – 30) ÷ 2 = Celsius temp.

Let's say the Fahrenheit temperature is 80 degrees. The approximate Celsius temperature would be:

(80 – 30) ÷ 2 = 25 C

How to Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (Exact Calculation)

If you're looking to get a more precise calculation, you can use this exact formula. You may want to have a calculator handy when you do this.

(Celsius temp. × 1.8) + 32 = Fahrenheit temp.

Begin the conversion by multiplying the temperature in Celsius by 1.8 (or 9/5), then add 32 to your answer to get the Fahrenheit reading.

Here's an example using 30 degrees Celsius.

(30 x 1.8) + 32 = 86 F

How to Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius (Exact Calculation)

When converting Fahrenheit to Celsius, you simply reverse the same equation above. Subtract 32 from the degrees in Fahrenheit, then divide your answer by 1.8.

(Fahrenheit temp. – 32) ÷ 1.8 = Celsius temp.

Here is the formula in action starting with 80 degrees F:

(80 – 32) ÷ 1.8 = 26.6 C (or round up to 27 C)

Now That's Interesting

Just a few countries (beside the U.S.) still favor the Fahrenheit scale. These include Palau, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and Liberia.

How to compare celsius and fahrenheit

measure/images/thermometer.js?mode=boxes

Type a value in either box

Or use the slider

Or the Interactive Thermometer

Or this method:

°C to °F Divide by 5, then multiply by 9, then add 32
°F to °C Deduct 32, then multiply by 5, then divide by 9

(Explanation Below ...)

(only bold are exactly the same)

  °C °F Description
  220 430 Hot Oven
  180 360 Moderate Oven
  100 212 Water boils
  40 104 Hot Bath
  37 98.6 Body temperature
  30 86 Beach weather
  21 70 Room temperature
  10 50 Cool Day
  0 32 Freezing point of water
  −18 0 Very Cold Day
  −40 −40 Extremely Cold Day
(and the same number!)

How to compare celsius and fahrenheit

Some Tricks:

Daily Temperatures: these three conversions "flip the digits" (accurate within 1°):

°C   °F 28 ⇄ 82 16 ⇄ 61

04 ⇄ 40

Oven Temperatures: in the range 150 to 200 °C we can double °C to get °F (accurate within 8°F):

°C °F
Estimate
°F
Actual
200 400 392
180 360 356
160 320 320
150 300 302

Going the other way: for the range 300 to 400 °F we can halve °F to get °C (accurate within 4°C).

Explanation

There are two main temperature scales:

  • °C, the Celsius Scale (part of the Metric System, used in most countries)
  • °F, the Fahrenheit Scale (used in the US)

They both measure the same thing (temperature!), but use different numbers:

  • Boiling water (at normal pressure) measures 100° in Celsius, but 212° in Fahrenheit
  • And as water freezes it measures 0° in Celsius, but 32° in Fahrenheit

Like this:

How to compare celsius and fahrenheit

Looking at the diagram, notice:

  • The scales start at a different number (0 vs 32), so we will need to add or subtract 32
  • The scales rise at a different rate (100 vs 180), so we will also need to multiply

And so, to convert:

from Celsius to Fahrenheit: first multiply by 180100, then add 32

from Fahrenheit to Celsius: first subtract 32, then multiply by 100180

180100 can be simplified to 95, and 100180 can be simplified to 59, so we get this:


First: 25° / 5 = 5
Then: 5 × 9 = 45
Then: 45 + 32 = 77° F

First: 98.6° − 32 = 66.6
Then: 66.6 × 5 = 333
Then: 333 / 9 = 37° C

We can swap the order of divide and multiply if we want, but don't change the add or subtract. So this is also OK:

First: 98.6° − 32 = 66.6
Then: 66.6 / 9 = 7.4
Then: 7.4 × 5 = 37° C

(Same answer as before, was it easier or harder this way?)

We can write them as formulas:

Celsius to Fahrenheit:   (°C × 95) + 32 = °F
Fahrenheit to Celsius:   (°F − 32) × 59 = °C

 

9/5 is equal to 1.8, so we can also use this method:

Celsius to Fahrenheit:   °C × 1.8 + 32 = °F
Fahrenheit to Celsius:   (°F − 32) / 1.8 = °C

To make "×1.8" easier we can multiply by 2 and subtract 10%, but it only works for °C to °F:

Celsius to Fahrenheit:   (°C × 2) less 10% + 32 = °F

Example: Convert 20° Celsius (A nice day) to Fahrenheit

  • 20x2 = 40
  • less 10% is 40−4 = 36
  • 36+32 = 68° F

Add 40, Multiply, Subtract 40

Since both scales cross at −40° (−40° C equals −40° F) we can:

  • add 40,
  • multiply by 5/9 (for °F to °C), or 9/5 (for °C to °F)
  • subtract 40

Like this:

Celsius to Fahrenheit:   Add 40, multiply by 9/5, then subtract 40
Fahrenheit to Celsius:   Add 40, multiply by 5/9, then subtract 40

Example: Convert 10° Celsius (A cool day) to Fahrenheit

  • 10+40 = 50
  • 50×9/5 = 90
  • 90−40 = 50° F

Quick, but Not Accurate

Celsius to Fahrenheit:   Double, then add 30
Fahrenheit to Celsius:   Subtract 30, then halve

Examples °C → °F:

  • 0° C → 0+30 → 30° F (low by 2°)
  • 10° C → 20+30 → 50° F (exact!)
  • 30° C → 60+30 → 90° F (high by 4°)
  • 180° C → 360+30 → 390° F (high by 34°, not good)

Examples °F → °C:

  • 40° F → 10/2 → 5° C (almost right)
  • 80° F → 50/2 → 25° C (low by about 2°)
  • 120° F → 90/2 → 45° C (low by about 4°)
  • 450° F → 420/2 → 210° C (low by about 22°, not good)

How to compare celsius and fahrenheit

Footnote: Temperature is a measure of how fast an object's particles are moving.

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