Kelvin to Celsius (K to °C)
Result
-272.15 Celsius
Formula
°C = K − 273.15
The kelvin is the SI base unit, defined through the Boltzmann constant. A Celsius temperature is the kelvin temperature minus 273.15, and a Fahrenheit degree is 5/9 of a Celsius degree with water freezing at 32 °F. Rankine uses Fahrenheit-sized degrees from absolute zero.
Worked examples
- 0 K × 1 − 273.15 = -273.15 °C
- 77 K × 1 − 273.15 = -196.15 °C
- 273.15 K × 1 − 273.15 = 0 °C
- 373.15 K × 1 − 273.15 = 100 °C
Things to know about K to °C
- Subtract 273.15. Liquid nitrogen boils at about 77 K, which is −196 °C.
- Room temperature in physics problems is often taken as 293.15 K (20 °C) or 298.15 K (25 °C).
Kelvin to Celsius table
| Kelvin (K) | Celsius (°C) |
|---|---|
| 0 | -273.15 |
| 1 | -272.15 |
| 2 | -271.15 |
| 5 | -268.15 |
| 10 | -263.15 |
| 20 | -253.15 |
| 50 | -223.15 |
| 77 | -196.15 |
| 100 | -173.15 |
| 273.15 | 0 |
| 373.15 | 100 |
| 1,000 | 726.85 |
The units
- Kelvin (K)
- The kelvin, the SI base unit of temperature, measured from absolute zero. A kelvin is the same size as a Celsius degree.
- Celsius (°C)
- Celsius: the kelvin temperature minus 273.15. Water freezes at about 0 °C and boils at about 100 °C at sea level.
Sources for these factors
- The International System of Units (SI Brochure), 9th edition — BIPM
- Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SP 811), Appendix B: conversion factors — NIST
- Handbook 44 (2024), Appendix C: General Tables of Units of Measurement — NIST
Last reviewed against these sources. An automated check recomputes every factor from its definition on each build. How we check accuracy