Understanding Temperature Scales
Temperature is one of the most commonly converted measurements, yet it's also one of the trickiest because it doesn't use simple multiplication like other unit conversions.
The Three Main Scales
Celsius (°C)
- Freezing point of water: 0°C
- Boiling point of water: 100°C
- Used by: Most of the world
- Best for: Daily weather, cooking, science
Fahrenheit (°F)
- Freezing point of water: 32°F
- Boiling point of water: 212°F
- Used by: United States, some Caribbean nations
- Best for: Weather in the US, some cooking
Kelvin (K)
- Absolute zero: 0 K (-273.15°C)
- Freezing point of water: 273.15 K
- Used by: Scientists worldwide
- Best for: Scientific calculations, physics
Conversion Formulas
Celsius to Fahrenheit
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32Fahrenheit to Celsius
°C = (°F - 32) × 5/9Celsius to Kelvin
K = °C + 273.15Kelvin to Celsius
°C = K - 273.15Quick Reference Points
| Description | Celsius | Fahrenheit | Kelvin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute zero | -273.15 | -459.67 | 0 |
| Water freezes | 0 | 32 | 273.15 |
| Room temperature | 20-22 | 68-72 | 293-295 |
| Body temperature | 37 | 98.6 | 310.15 |
| Water boils | 100 | 212 | 373.15 |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Convert 25°C to Fahrenheit
°F = (25 × 9/5) + 32 = 45 + 32 = 77°FExample 2: Convert 98.6°F to Celsius
°C = (98.6 - 32) × 5/9 = 66.6 × 5/9 = 37°CKey Takeaways
- Temperature conversions require formulas, not simple multiplication
- Celsius and Kelvin differ by exactly 273.15
- Fahrenheit uses a different scale entirely
- Room temperature is about 20°C, 68°F, or 293K