Enter value in K:
Formula: K − 273.15
Welcome to the Easy Converters Kelvin to Celsius Converter – your reliable tool for converting temperature values from the absolute Kelvin scale to the more commonly used Celsius scale. Whether you're conducting scientific experiments, solving engineering problems, or studying physics, this converter provides accurate and instant results.
Kelvin (K) is the SI base unit of temperature and begins at absolute zero (0 K), the point where all thermal motion ceases. The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale, meaning it does not use degrees and does not have negative values. It is widely used in scientific disciplines, especially thermodynamics, astronomy, and low-temperature physics.
Celsius (°C) is a temperature scale used in everyday life, particularly in weather forecasts, cooking, and general climate data. It sets the freezing point of water at 0°C and the boiling point at 100°C under standard atmospheric pressure. Celsius is widely used worldwide, except in a few countries like the U.S.
Converting Kelvin to Celsius is straightforward because both scales increase linearly. Use the formula below:
°C = K − 273.15Example: Convert 300 K to Celsius:
°C = 300 − 273.15 = 26.85°C| Kelvin (K) | Celsius (°C) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 K | -273.15°C | Absolute Zero |
| 273.15 K | 0°C | Freezing Point of Water |
| 293.15 K | 20°C | Room Temperature |
| 373.15 K | 100°C | Boiling Point of Water |
| 5778 K | 5504.85°C | Surface of the Sun |
| Kelvin | Celsius |
|---|---|
| 100 | -173.15°C |
| 200 | -73.15°C |
| 273.15 | 0°C |
| 300 | 26.85°C |
| 350 | 76.85°C |
| 400 | 126.85°C |
Python:
def kelvin_to_celsius(k):
return round(k - 273.15, 2)
print(kelvin_to_celsius(300)) # Output: 26.85
JavaScript:
function kelvinToCelsius(k) {
return (k - 273.15).toFixed(2);
}
console.log(kelvinToCelsius(300)); // Output: "26.85"
K = °C + 273.15No. 0 K equals -273.15°C, which is absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature.
Kelvin is based on absolute thermodynamic principles, which makes it more accurate for measuring and comparing energy and temperature relationships.
Not typically. Weather forecasts use Celsius or Fahrenheit, but Kelvin is used in modeling atmospheric physics.
Yes. Both scales use the same incremental unit size, which makes the conversion a simple subtraction or addition.
The Kelvin scale was proposed by William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin in 1848. He established a thermodynamic temperature scale where 0 K represents absolute zero — the theoretical point where no heat energy remains in a substance. The Celsius scale, on the other hand, was developed by Anders Celsius in 1742. Originally, Celsius defined 0°C as the boiling point of water and 100°C as the freezing point, but it was later reversed to the modern definition we use today.
Even though Kelvin and Celsius are different scales, they are closely related. Many scientific formulas involving temperature use Kelvin to ensure thermodynamic consistency but present the final results in Celsius to enhance readability for a general audience. For example:
The Kelvin to Celsius conversion is a staple in physics, chemistry, and general science curricula. Teachers often introduce this conversion when discussing:
When building a digital Kelvin to Celsius converter, always include error handling. For example:
Correctly formatting units is essential in academic and industrial settings:
If you're developing a calculator or API, consider adding unit tests to confirm the correctness of conversions:
// Example test case in JavaScript
assert.strictEqual(kelvinToCelsius(0), -273.15);
assert.strictEqual(kelvinToCelsius(273.15), 0);
assert.strictEqual(kelvinToCelsius(373.15), 100);
Kelvin is used globally in scientific contexts, including by organizations like:
Several important constants depend on Kelvin:
Often, users looking to convert Kelvin to Celsius may also need:
When displaying conversion tools online, ensure the interface is accessible to all users:
aria-labels on form inputs and buttonsIn engineering applications, temperature data is often recorded in Kelvin to maintain consistency across international systems. Engineers convert Kelvin to Celsius for readability in documentation, user interfaces, or safety monitoring. For example:
Global temperature models, such as those from the IPCC or NOAA, often use Kelvin internally. For example, Earth’s average surface temperature is roughly 288 K, or 14.85°C. When presenting findings to the public or policymakers, scientists convert Kelvin to Celsius to improve accessibility and understanding.
| Kelvin (K) | Celsius (°C) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | -273.15 | Absolute Zero |
| 77 | -196.15 | Boiling Point of Liquid Nitrogen |
| 273.15 | 0 | Freezing Point of Water |
| 298.15 | 25 | Room Temperature |
| 373.15 | 100 | Boiling Point of Water |
| 5778 | 5504.85 | Surface of the Sun |
Want to test your skills? Try solving this manually:
Convert 400 K to Celsius.
°C = 400 K - 273.15 = 126.85°C
double kelvinToCelsius(double kelvin) {
return kelvin - 273.15;
}
Temperature loggers used in pharmaceuticals and food storage often capture Kelvin data to ensure extreme cold conditions are safely measured. Celsius values are then displayed in software dashboards for health inspectors or quality control teams.
When reporting high-precision data (e.g., spectroscopy, thermoelectric research), Kelvin is often retained due to its scientific rigor, but values are sometimes converted to Celsius for ease of interpretation. For instance, a material may reach its superconducting state at 92 K, which is -181.15°C.
If you are building a scientific dashboard or educational app, you can integrate the Kelvin to Celsius formula into RESTful APIs or JavaScript calculators:
// JavaScript API function
app.get('/convert', (req, res) => {
const k = parseFloat(req.query.kelvin);
const c = k - 273.15;
res.json({ kelvin: k, celsius: c.toFixed(2) });
});
The Kelvin to Celsius conversion is vital for scientists, engineers, and students who frequently switch between absolute and relative temperature scales. With just a single subtraction, you can make temperature values practical and usable in everyday contexts. Use this online converter to bridge scientific accuracy with real-world application.