From Kelvin
Kelvin to Celsius
C = K − 273.15
Convert K to °C — same-sized degree, shift from absolute zero to water freezing point.
K → °C →Kelvin to Fahrenheit
F = (K − 273.15) × 9/5 + 32
Convert K to °F — physics-to-U.S.-consumer bridge.
K → °F →Kelvin to Rankine
R = K × 9/5
Convert K to °R — both absolute; only degree-size differs by factor of 9/5.
K → °R →Three focused converters for translating Kelvin (the SI absolute-temperature scale) to each of the other three standard scales. Kelvin is the scale used in physics, astronomy, and any context where ratios of temperature matter (Stefan-Boltzmann, ideal gas law, blackbody radiation).
Use these when you have a temperature in K from a physics problem, astronomical reference, or thermodynamics calculation and need to translate to a more intuitive scale.
When to use these converters
K to °C is the most common direction — physics problems often give temperatures in K but human intuition lives in Celsius. K to °F is needed for U.S. engineering work that crosses between scientific (K) and consumer (°F) contexts. K to °R is used in some thermodynamics textbooks that express absolute temperatures in Rankine.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the formula for Kelvin to Celsius?
- C = K − 273.15. Same-sized degree, different zero point. Subtract 273.15 to shift from absolute zero to the freezing point of water.
- What's the formula for Kelvin to Fahrenheit?
- F = (K − 273.15) × 9/5 + 32. Convert to Celsius first (subtract 273.15), then scale to Fahrenheit-sized degrees and add the 32 offset.
- What's the formula for Kelvin to Rankine?
- R = K × 9/5. Both scales anchor at absolute zero; only the degree size differs (Rankine uses the smaller Fahrenheit-sized degree, so a multiply by 9/5 scales up).