Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter
Fahrenheit (°F) → Celsius (°C)
Also: 310.15 K Kelvin · 558.27 °R Rankine
Show Your Work
- 1. C = (98.6 − 32) × 5/9
- 2. C = 66.6 × 5/9
- 3. C = 37°C
About this conversion
Fahrenheit to Celsius is the natural inverse of the world's most-searched temperature conversion. The formula C = (F − 32) × 5/9 subtracts the 32°F offset between the two zero points, then scales Fahrenheit-sized degrees down to the larger Celsius increment. This page focuses on that one direction with a reference table sized for the temperatures most readers actually look up — U.S. cooking ranges, weather, body temperature, and household appliance settings.
Fahrenheit to Celsius Reference Table
| Fahrenheit (°F) | Celsius (°C) |
|---|---|
| -40 | -40 |
| -20 | -28.888889 |
| 0 | -17.777778 |
| 10 | -12.222222 |
| 20 | -6.6666667 |
| 32 | 0 |
| 40 | 4.4444444 |
| 50 | 10 |
| 60 | 15.555556 |
| 68 | 20 |
| 70 | 21.111111 |
| 75 | 23.888889 |
| 80 | 26.666667 |
| 90 | 32.222222 |
| 98.6 | 37 |
| 100 | 37.777778 |
| 120 | 48.888889 |
| 150 | 65.555556 |
| 180 | 82.222222 |
| 200 | 93.333333 |
| 212 | 100 |
| 250 | 121.11111 |
| 300 | 148.88889 |
| 325 | 162.77778 |
| 350 | 176.66667 |
| 375 | 190.55556 |
| 400 | 204.44444 |
| 425 | 218.33333 |
| 450 | 232.22222 |
| 500 | 260 |
| 550 | 287.77778 |
When to use Fahrenheit → Celsius
- Cooking from a U.S. recipe (oven temps in °F) when your appliance or recipe collection uses °C
- Translating a U.S. weather forecast into the metric scale used in most other countries
- Reading body temperature on a Fahrenheit thermometer when you need the medical-standard Celsius value
- Converting industrial or HVAC specs written in Fahrenheit
Worked Example
A thermometer reads 98.6°F. What is that in Celsius?
- Start with the Fahrenheit value: F = 98.6.
- Subtract 32: 98.6 − 32 = 66.6.
- Multiply by 5/9: 66.6 × 5/9 = 37.
- So 98.6°F = 37°C.
37°C is the textbook normal body temperature value used in clinical practice worldwide. The U.S. 98.6°F figure is the same number expressed on a different scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the formula to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?
C = (F − 32) × 5/9, also written as C = (F − 32) / 1.8. Subtract 32 first to align zero points, then scale down by 5/9.
What is 32°F in Celsius?
32°F = 0°C. This is the freezing point of water at standard atmospheric pressure.
What is 212°F in Celsius?
212°F = 100°C. This is the boiling point of water at standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm).
What is 98.6°F in Celsius?
98.6°F = 37°C. The 98.6 figure originates from a 19th-century estimate by Carl Wunderlich; modern studies suggest the real population mean is closer to 36.6°C / 97.9°F, but 37°C remains the textbook reference.
Quick mental shortcut?
Subtract 30 then halve: C ≈ (F − 30) / 2. Off by a few degrees but fast enough to gauge weather without a calculator.
Why subtract 32 before scaling?
Celsius and Fahrenheit have different zero points (0°C = 32°F). Subtracting 32 aligns the zeros so the multiplication by 5/9 only handles the difference in degree size.
More Temperature Conversions
- Celsius to Fahrenheit — the reverse direction
- Fahrenheit to Kelvin — same starting scale, different target
- Fahrenheit to Rankine — same starting scale, different target
- Kelvin to Celsius — different starting scale, same target
- Rankine to Celsius — different starting scale, same target
- All-scale Temperature Converter — see Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin, and Rankine at once
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