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Degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit

To convert degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit, use the formula °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32.

°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32BIPM SI · NIST HB 44
°C
68°F

20 °C = 68 °F

How to convert degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit

The degree Fahrenheit is the Fahrenheit scale, °F = °C × 9/5 + 32 — water freezes at 32 °F and boils at 212 °F. The degree Celsius is the Celsius scale, defined through the kelvin as t/°C = T/K − 273.15; it was originally calibrated so that water froze at 0 °C and boiled at about 100 °C at 1 atm.

Worked example — 20 °C converts to 68 °F using °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32.

Degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit table

Common conversions. The reverse table is on degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius.
Degrees CelsiusDegrees Fahrenheit
-40 °C-40 °F
-10 °C14 °F
0 °C32 °F
10 °C50 °F
20 °C68 °F
30 °C86 °F
37 °C98.6 °F
100 °C212 °F

Reverse and related

About degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit

Degree Celsius (°C)

Definition. The Celsius scale, defined through the kelvin as t/°C = T/K − 273.15; it was originally calibrated so that water froze at 0 °C and boiled at about 100 °C at 1 atm

History and origin

The Celsius scale was proposed by the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius in 1742, originally with 0 for boiling and 100 for freezing; the scale was soon reversed to the familiar form. It is now defined through the kelvin, with a temperature in degrees Celsius equal to the same temperature in kelvin minus 273.15.

Current use

Celsius is the everyday temperature scale almost everywhere for weather, cooking and body temperature; the United States is the main exception, using Fahrenheit.

Source: BIPM, The International System of Units (SI), 9th ed. (2019)

Degree Fahrenheit (°F)

Definition. The Fahrenheit scale, °F = °C × 9/5 + 32 — water freezes at 32 °F and boils at 212 °F

History and origin

The Fahrenheit scale was devised by the physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724, using a brine freezing point and human body temperature to set its reference points. It places the freezing point of water at 32 degrees and the boiling point at 212.

Current use

Fahrenheit is used mainly in the United States and a few nearby territories for weather, cooking and body temperature, while most of the world uses Celsius.

Source: NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C, Conversion Equations for Units of Temperature

Where people use this

Degrees Celsius: weather outside the US, cooking, body temperature. Degrees Fahrenheit: weather in the US, oven temperatures, body temperature. Body temperature is 37 °C, or 98.6 °F.

How we know this is right
The factor is fixed by the standards that define the units, not chosen — so it is exact, not a measurement:
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32

Water freezes at 0 °C and 32 °F and boils at 100 °C and 212 °F. That is 100 Celsius degrees to 180 Fahrenheit degrees, so one Celsius degree is 180/100 = 9/5 of a Fahrenheit degree, and the scales are offset by 32.

Every value is carried to full double precision; the display is rounded.

Sources: NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C, Conversion Equations for Units of Temperature; BIPM, The International System of Units (SI), 9th ed. (2019).

Questions people ask

How do you convert Celsius to Fahrenheit?

Multiply the Celsius value by 9/5 (1.8) and add 32, so °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. For example, 20 °C becomes 20 × 1.8 + 32 = 68 °F.

What is 20 degrees Celsius in Fahrenheit?

20 °C is 68 °F, a mild room temperature. 25 °C is 77 °F and 30 °C is 86 °F.

What is 37 Celsius in Fahrenheit?

Normal body temperature of 37 °C is 98.6 °F. A reading of 38 °C is 100.4 °F, the usual fever threshold.

What is 100 degrees Celsius in Fahrenheit?

100 °C is 212 °F, the boiling point of water at sea level; 0 °C is 32 °F, its freezing point.

Why does Fahrenheit start at 32 for freezing?

The Fahrenheit scale was set from a brine mixture and body temperature, which put the freezing point of water at 32 °F and its boiling point at 212 °F, 180 degrees apart.

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