Convert fahrenheit to kelvin easily.
(1 °F - 32) x 5÷9 + 273.15 = 255.928 K
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Ever tried baking cookies at high altitude or wondered why your car’s engine runs hotter on summer days? Temperature affects everything—but when science gets serious, Fahrenheit just won’t cut it. That’s where Kelvin comes in. Unlike its flashy cousin Fahrenheit, Kelvin is teh go-to scale for physics, chemistry, and astronomy because it starts at absolute zero, the coldest possible temperature. Let’s break down how to bridge these two worlds.
Units explained
What is a fahrenheit (°F)?
- Description: Developed by Daniel Fahrenheit in 1724, this scale uses water’s freezing and boiling points as 32°F and 212°F.
- Symbol: °F
- Common uses: Weather reports, cooking, and household thermometers in the U.S.
- Definition: 1°F equals 1/180 of the interval between water’s freezing and boiling points at sea level.
What is a kelvin (K)?
- Description: Part of the International System of Units (SI), Kelvin measures thermodynamic temperature starting at absolute zero.
- Symbol: K
- Common uses: Scientific research, space exploration, and thermodynamics.
- Definition: 1 K equals 1/273.16 of the triple point of water (where water coexists as solid, liquid, and gas).
Conversion formula
To convert Fahrenheit to Kelvin:
K = (°F - 32) × 5/9 + 273.15
For example, converting 68°F to Kelvin:
K = (68 - 32) × 5/9 + 273.15
K = 36 × 0.5556 + 273.15 ≈ 293.15
Conversion tables
Fahrenheit to Kelvin
| °F | K |
|---|---|
| -40 | 233.15 |
| 32 | 273.15 |
| 68 | 293.15 |
| 100 | 310.93 |
| 212 | 373.15 |
Kelvin to Fahrenheit
| K | °F |
|---|---|
| 0 | -459.67 |
| 273.15 | 32 |
| 293.15 | 68 |
| 310.93 | 100 |
| 373.15 | 212 |
Historical context
Daniel Fahrenheit invented his scale in the early 18th century using mercury thermometers. Meanwhile, Lord Kelvin proposed his absolute scale in 1848, revolutionizing how we measure heat in scientific contexts. Fun fact: Kelvin’s original name for his unit was "degree Kelvin," but it was simplified to "kelvin" in 1967.
Interesting facts?
- Absolute zero (0 K) is where molecular motion stops—impossible to reach, but scientists have gotten within billionths of a degree.
- The cosmic microwave background of space is about 2.7 K.
- Fahrenheit’s 0°F was based on a brine solution’s freezing point, not pure water.
- Room temperature (68°F) is approximately 293.15 K.
- Venus’ surface temperature (867°F) converts to about 737 K—hot enough to melt lead.
FAQ
Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale starting at absolute zero, making it ideal for scientific calculations where precise thermal measurements matter.
No—since Kelvin starts at absolute zero (the coldest possible temperature), all values are positive.
It depends on your required precision. For everyday use, whole numbers work, but scientific contexts often require decimals.
Subtract 32 from °F, divide by 1.8, then add 273.15. It’s easier with a calculator though!
Unlike Fahrenheit and Celsius, Kelvin is an absolute scale measured in 'kelvins,' not degrees.