Why You Are Here
Temperature conversion sits at the intersection of three very different daily needs, and the reason you are here depends entirely on which one applies right now.
You might be checking the weather forecast for a destination country and seeing temperatures in Celsius that mean nothing to you intuitively. A forecast of 28 degrees feels abstract when your brain thinks in Fahrenheit, but 82 degrees immediately tells you to pack light clothing and sunscreen.
You might be following a recipe from a UK, European, or Australian cookbook where oven temperatures are given in Celsius, and your oven dial only shows Fahrenheit. A recipe calling for 180 Celsius and an oven set to 350 Fahrenheit will produce very different results.
Or you might be checking a temperature reading from a thermometer, a medical device, or a science experiment that returns values in Celsius while your reference range is in Fahrenheit.
The Conversion Formula
Unlike most unit conversions, Celsius to Fahrenheit is not a simple multiplication. Because the two scales have different zero points and different degree intervals, the conversion requires both a multiplication and an addition.
Celsius to Fahrenheit Formula
Fahrenheit = (Celsius x 1.8) + 32 or equivalently: Fahrenheit = (Celsius x 9/5) + 32 Example: Convert 25 Celsius to Fahrenheit (25 x 1.8) + 32 = 45 + 32 = 77 Fahrenheit // 25 degrees Celsius is a warm, comfortable day // 77 degrees Fahrenheit confirms exactly that
Fahrenheit to Celsius Formula (Reverse)
Celsius = (Fahrenheit - 32) x 5/9 Example: Convert 98.6 Fahrenheit to Celsius (98.6 - 32) x 5/9 = 66.6 x 0.5556 = 37 Celsius // 37 Celsius is normal human body temperature
Weather Temperature Reference Table — C to F
Most searched use of this converter for travellers and anyone reading international weather forecasts:
| Celsius (C) | Fahrenheit (F) | Weather Context |
|
minus 10 C |
14 F |
Very cold, heavy winter conditions |
|
minus 5 C |
23 F |
Cold winter day, frost expected |
|
0 C |
32 F |
Freezing point of water, ice possible on roads |
|
5 C |
41 F |
Cold, heavy coat required |
|
10 C |
50 F |
Cool, light jacket needed |
|
15 C |
59 F |
Mild, comfortable for a walk |
|
20 C |
68 F |
Warm, pleasant spring or autumn day |
|
22 C |
71.6 F |
Comfortable room temperature reference |
|
25 C |
77 F |
Warm summer day, light clothing |
|
28 C |
82.4 F |
Hot, stay hydrated |
|
30 C |
86 F |
Very hot, seek shade |
|
35 C |
95 F |
Extremely hot, heat advisory conditions |
|
37 C |
98.6 F |
Normal human body temperature |
|
38 C |
100.4 F |
Fever threshold, medical attention may be needed |
|
40 C |
104 F |
High fever, seek medical attention |
|
100 C |
212 F |
Boiling point of water at sea level |
Oven Temperature Reference Table — C to F for Cooking
The most practically important use of this converter for anyone cooking from international recipes. Oven temperatures in Celsius and their Fahrenheit equivalents:
| Celsius (C) | Fahrenheit (F) | Cooking Context |
|
100 C |
212 F |
Dehydrating, drying herbs, keeping food warm |
|
120 C |
248 F |
Very low oven, slow cooking meringues |
|
140 C |
284 F |
Low oven, slow roasting and drying |
|
150 C |
302 F |
Low to moderate, slow cooking stews |
|
160 C |
320 F |
Moderate low, cheesecakes and delicate baking |
|
170 C |
338 F |
Moderate, cakes and muffins |
|
180 C |
356 F |
Standard baking temperature, most cakes and cookies |
|
190 C |
374 F |
Moderate high, roasting vegetables |
|
200 C |
392 F |
Hot oven, roasting meats and potatoes |
|
210 C |
410 F |
High heat, pizza and bread |
|
220 C |
428 F |
Very hot, crispy roasts and pizzas |
|
230 C |
446 F |
Extremely hot, searing and browning |
|
240 C |
464 F |
Maximum residential oven, Neapolitan pizza |
Celsius Compared to Other Temperature Scales
| Reference Point | Celsius (C) | Fahrenheit (F) | Notes |
|
Freezing point of water |
0 C |
32 F |
At sea level, standard pressure |
|
Normal body temperature |
37 C |
98.6 F |
Average adult oral temperature |
|
Boiling point of water |
100 C |
212 F |
At sea level, standard pressure |
|
Comfortable room temperature |
22 C |
71.6 F |
Standard HVAC reference |
|
Both scales equal |
minus 40 C |
minus 40 F |
Only intersection point |
|
Absolute zero |
minus 273.15 C |
minus 459.67 F |
Coldest possible temperature |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most frequent error when doing this conversion mentally is multiplying Celsius by 1.8 and forgetting to add 32. Multiplying 20 Celsius by 1.8 gives 36, which looks like a temperature but is completely wrong. The correct answer is 68 Fahrenheit. The addition of 32 is not optional, it accounts for the offset between the two scales at their zero points. Without it every result is wrong by exactly 32 degrees.
Some people remember the formula partially and apply it in the wrong direction. Multiplying a Fahrenheit temperature by 1.8 and adding 32 gives a nonsensical result. The multiply-then-add formula only works for Celsius to Fahrenheit. For the reverse direction, subtract 32 first and then multiply by 5/9. Mixing up the direction is especially common when converting fever temperatures where a few degrees difference matters medically.
Recipes from the United States use Fahrenheit for oven temperatures. Recipes from the United Kingdom, Australia, Europe, and most of the world use Celsius. A recipe that calls for 350 degrees without specifying the scale is almost certainly American and means Fahrenheit which equals 177 Celsius. A recipe calling for 180 degrees without a scale is almost certainly European and means Celsius which equals 356 Fahrenheit. Confusing the two can result in baked goods that are significantly undercooked or burnt.
Quick Reference Values — Weather Temperatures
| Celsius (C) | Fahrenheit (F) |
|
minus 10 C |
14 F |
|
0 C |
32 F |
|
5 C |
41 F |
|
10 C |
50 F |
|
15 C |
59 F |
|
20 C |
68 F |
|
25 C |
77 F |
|
30 C |
86 F |
|
35 C |
95 F |
|
37 C |
98.6 F |
|
40 C |
104 F |
|
100 C |
212 F |
