Kelvin to Celsius (K → °C)
Formula
°C = K − 273.15Step-by-step
°C = 0 − 273.15°C = -273.15Conversion Table
| K | °C |
|---|---|
| 0 | -273.15 |
| 1.0000 | -272.15 |
| 2.0000 | -271.15 |
| 3.0000 | -270.15 |
| 4.0000 | -269.15 |
| 5.0000 | -268.15 |
| 6.0000 | -267.15 |
| 7.0000 | -266.15 |
| 8.0000 | -265.15 |
| 9.0000 | -264.15 |
| 10.000 | -263.15 |
| 11.000 | -262.15 |
| 12.000 | -261.15 |
| 13.000 | -260.15 |
| 14.000 | -259.15 |
| 15.000 | -258.15 |
| 16.000 | -257.15 |
| 17.000 | -256.15 |
| 18.000 | -255.15 |
| 19.000 | -254.15 |
| K | °C |
|---|---|
| 20.000 | -253.15 |
| 21.000 | -252.15 |
| 22.000 | -251.15 |
| 23.000 | -250.15 |
| 24.000 | -249.15 |
| 25.000 | -248.15 |
| 26.000 | -247.15 |
| 27.000 | -246.15 |
| 28.000 | -245.15 |
| 29.000 | -244.15 |
| 30.000 | -243.15 |
| 31.000 | -242.15 |
| 32.000 | -241.15 |
| 33.000 | -240.15 |
| 34.000 | -239.15 |
| 35.000 | -238.15 |
| 36.000 | -237.15 |
| 37.000 | -236.15 |
| 38.000 | -235.15 |
| 39.000 | -234.15 |
| K | °C |
|---|---|
| 40.000 | -233.15 |
| 41.000 | -232.15 |
| 42.000 | -231.15 |
| 43.000 | -230.15 |
| 44.000 | -229.15 |
| 45.000 | -228.15 |
| 46.000 | -227.15 |
| 47.000 | -226.15 |
| 48.000 | -225.15 |
| 49.000 | -224.15 |
| 50.000 | -223.15 |
| 51.000 | -222.15 |
| 52.000 | -221.15 |
| 53.000 | -220.15 |
| 54.000 | -219.15 |
| 55.000 | -218.15 |
| 56.000 | -217.15 |
| 57.000 | -216.15 |
| 58.000 | -215.15 |
| 59.000 | -214.15 |
| K | °C |
|---|---|
| 60.000 | -213.15 |
| 61.000 | -212.15 |
| 62.000 | -211.15 |
| 63.000 | -210.15 |
| 64.000 | -209.15 |
| 65.000 | -208.15 |
| 66.000 | -207.15 |
| 67.000 | -206.15 |
| 68.000 | -205.15 |
| 69.000 | -204.15 |
| 70.000 | -203.15 |
| 71.000 | -202.15 |
| 72.000 | -201.15 |
| 73.000 | -200.15 |
| 74.000 | -199.15 |
| 75.000 | -198.15 |
| 76.000 | -197.15 |
| 77.000 | -196.15 |
| 78.000 | -195.15 |
| 79.000 | -194.15 |
Kelvin to Celsius Conversion
Converting Kelvin (K) to Celsius (°C) is a common temperature conversion. 1 K equals -272.15 °C. For example, 100 K is equal to -173.15 °C.
Quick Mental Math: Kelvin to Celsius
Subtract 273.15. For a fast estimate, subtract 273 and adjust by 0.15 if needed.
Why is converting Kelvin to Celsius tricky?
Kelvin and Celsius use the same interval, but the starting point shifts every value by 273.15.
Quick Reference Values
0 K = -273.15 °C. 233.15 K = -40 °C. 273.15 K = 0 °C. 293.15 K = 20 °C. 298.15 K = 25 °C. 310.15 K = 37 °C. 373.15 K = 100 °C.
What is Kelvin?
Kelvin (K) is a unit of temperature. Kelvin is the SI base unit of thermodynamic temperature defined by fixing the numerical value of the Boltzmann constant to 1.380649×10⁻²³ J·K⁻¹. It uses absolute zero as its null point and increments equal to those of the Celsius scale. One kelvin equals one degree Celsius in magnitude but starts at absolute zero, representing the lowest physically possible temperature [bipm-si-brochure]. The kelvin scale was named after William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, who proposed an absolute thermodynamic temperature scale in 1848. It was formally adopted as an SI base unit in 1967–1968 by the CGPM to provide a universal temperature standard based on fundamental constants [cgpm-resolutions]. Kelvin is the standard temperature unit in scientific research, thermodynamics, and engineering worldwide. It is the official unit for temperature in physics and chemistry according to the International System of Units (SI), used globally including by NIST and BIPM member countries [nist-si-guide].
What is Celsius?
Celsius (°C) is a unit of temperature. Celsius is a temperature scale where 0 °C is the freezing point and 100 °C is the boiling point of water at standard atmospheric pressure. It is defined by the International System of Units (SI) and related to the Kelvin scale by the formula °C = K − 273.15 [cgpm-resolutions]. The Celsius scale was developed by Anders Celsius in 1742. It became internationally accepted and officially incorporated into the SI temperature scales by the CGPM in 1948 for scientific and everyday temperature measurement [cgpm-resolutions]. Celsius is the standard temperature unit for most countries worldwide, including Canada, Europe, and Australia. It is used in weather forecasts, scientific research, and industrial processes as endorsed by ISO and BIPM [bipm-si-brochure].
Common Misspellings
People often search for this conversion using these alternate spellings: kelvin degree, kelvins, kelvins unit, kelvian, kelvins scale, celcius, celsious, celcius, celsius degree. All of these refer to the Kelvin to Celsius conversion.