Temperature Converter
Convert temperature from Celsius (°C) to Fahrenheit (°F) and back with this free temperature converter
Noteworthy Temperatures
- -18°C / 0°F: Freezer temperature
- 4°C / 40°F: Refrigerator temperature
- 60°C / 140°F: Minimum temperature to kill bacteria in food
- 63°C / 145°F: Safe minimum internal temperature for beef, pork, lamb, fish, and shellfish
- 71°C / 160°F: Safe minimum internal temperature for rabbit and venison
- 71°C / 160°F: Safe minimum internal temperature for ground red meats and red-meat sausage
- 71°C / 165°F: Safe minimum internal temperature for poultry and ground poultry
- 82°C / 180°F: Collagen in tough cuts of meat converts to juicy gelatin
- 85°C / 185°F: Pectin breaks down (fruit softens for jams/preserves)
- 190°C / 375°F: Ideal cooking oil temperature for deep-frying most foods
Definitions
Degrees Celsius (°C)
A degree Celsius (symbol: °C) is a unit of temperature in the metric system, where water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C at standard atmospheric pressure.
Formally defined by the International System of Units (SI), a degree Celsius equals exactly the same temperature increment as a kelvin, with 0°C corresponding to 273.15K. The Celsius scale is named after Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius who developed a similar temperature scale in 1742.
Celsius is the temperature scale that most of the world uses to know when your butter is soft (room temperature, about 20-22°C), your oven is hot (180-220°C for most baking), or when your meat is safely cooked (typically 63-74°C depending on the protein). Americans may be stubbornly attached to Fahrenheit, but Celsius offers beautifully logical benchmarks for cooking and has the advantage of being used in virtually every cookbook outside the US.
Formally defined by the International System of Units (SI), a degree Celsius equals exactly the same temperature increment as a kelvin, with 0°C corresponding to 273.15K. The Celsius scale is named after Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius who developed a similar temperature scale in 1742.
Celsius is the temperature scale that most of the world uses to know when your butter is soft (room temperature, about 20-22°C), your oven is hot (180-220°C for most baking), or when your meat is safely cooked (typically 63-74°C depending on the protein). Americans may be stubbornly attached to Fahrenheit, but Celsius offers beautifully logical benchmarks for cooking and has the advantage of being used in virtually every cookbook outside the US.
Degrees Fahrenheit (°F)
A degree Fahrenheit (symbol: °F) is a unit of temperature in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement, where water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F at standard atmospheric pressure.
Formally defined in relation to the Celsius scale, a degree Fahrenheit equals 5/9 of a degree Celsius, with the conversion formula being °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. The Fahrenheit scale is named after German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit who proposed it in 1724.
Fahrenheit is the temperature scale Americans use to navigate everything from refrigeration (around 40°F), to room temperature butter (around 70°F), to a properly heated oven (350-450°F for most baking). While seemingly arbitrary compared to Celsius, Fahrenheit offers finer gradations without decimals and some argue it better reflects human comfort ranges. A roast chicken is done at 165°F, bread bakes at 375°F, and candy thermometers top out around 400°F — all numbers that have been drilled into generations of American home cooks despite the rest of the culinary world having moved on to Celsius decades ago.
Formally defined in relation to the Celsius scale, a degree Fahrenheit equals 5/9 of a degree Celsius, with the conversion formula being °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. The Fahrenheit scale is named after German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit who proposed it in 1724.
Fahrenheit is the temperature scale Americans use to navigate everything from refrigeration (around 40°F), to room temperature butter (around 70°F), to a properly heated oven (350-450°F for most baking). While seemingly arbitrary compared to Celsius, Fahrenheit offers finer gradations without decimals and some argue it better reflects human comfort ranges. A roast chicken is done at 165°F, bread bakes at 375°F, and candy thermometers top out around 400°F — all numbers that have been drilled into generations of American home cooks despite the rest of the culinary world having moved on to Celsius decades ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use this temperature converter?
To use this temperature converter, enter a value in either the Celcius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F) field. Our tool will automatically convert and display the equivalent temperature in the other measurement scale.
How does this temperature converter work?
This converter uses two formulas. To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, the formula used is:
°C = (°F - 32) × 5/9. And to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, the formula is: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32.
Where do these conversion formulas come from?
These conversion formulas between Celsius and Fahrenheit are provided by NIST, the official U.S. authority on measurement standards. For details, see the "SI Units — Temperature" page on NIST's website.
What is the mimum supported temperature?
The minimum supported temperature by this converter is -40°C or -40°F.
What is the maximum supported temperature?
The maximum supported temperature by this converter is 1,000°C or 1,832°F.