What is a Temperature Converter?

A temperature converter is a tool that transforms temperature values between different measurement scales. Whether you're a scientist working with Kelvin, a cook following a recipe in Celsius, or checking the weather in Fahrenheit, this tool provides instant, accurate conversions.

Supported Temperature Scales

This converter supports five temperature scales commonly used around the world:

Celsius (°C)

The metric standard used by most countries worldwide

Fahrenheit (°F)

Primarily used in the United States and a few other countries

Kelvin (K)

The SI unit for scientific and engineering applications

Rankine (°R)

Used in some engineering calculations, particularly in the US

Gas Mark

A temperature scale used for ovens in the United Kingdom

Who Uses Temperature Converters?

Temperature conversion is essential for many people across different fields and everyday situations:

Travelers

Understanding weather forecasts in different countries

Cooks & Bakers

Converting recipe temperatures between scales

Scientists & Engineers

Working with Kelvin in research and calculations

Students

Learning about temperature scales in physics and chemistry

Healthcare Professionals

Converting body temperature readings

Privacy and Data

100% Private: All temperature conversions happen entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server, no tracking of your conversions, and the tool works offline after the page loads.

Table of Contents

1. What is a Temperature Converter?
2. How to Convert Temperatures
3. Features and Capabilities
4. Frequently Asked Questions

How to Convert Temperatures

Converting temperatures with this tool is straightforward. Follow these steps for accurate results:

Enter Your Temperature Value

Type the temperature you want to convert in the input field. You can enter:

Whole numbers (e.g., 100)
Decimal numbers (e.g., 36.6)
Negative numbers (e.g., -40)

Select the Source Unit

Click the unit dropdown to choose your input temperature scale. Options include Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin, Rankine, and Gas Mark. Use the search box to quickly find a specific unit.

View Your Results

The converted temperatures appear instantly below the input. Each result shows the value with its unit symbol and full name.

Customizing Your Experience

Adjust Decimal Precision

Select how many decimal places to display using the "Decimals" dropdown. Choose from 2, 4, 6, 8, or Auto (which removes unnecessary trailing zeros).

Show or Hide Units

Click "Customize Units" to toggle which temperature scales appear in your results. This is useful if you only need specific conversions.

Copy Results

Click the copy button next to any result to copy that value. Use "Copy All Results" to copy every conversion at once.

Quick Reference

Expand the "Unit Reference" section to see:

Key temperature points (water freezing, absolute zero)
Common conversion formulas
Where each scale is typically used

Features and Capabilities

This temperature converter offers several features designed for accuracy and convenience.

Multi-Scale Conversion

Convert between five temperature scales simultaneously. Enter one value and see all conversions at once, eliminating the need for multiple calculations.

Precise Calculations

All conversions use exact mathematical formulas for maximum accuracy across all temperature scales.

Gas Mark Support

Unlike many converters, this tool includes Gas Mark—a temperature scale used for ovens in the United Kingdom. Gas Mark values range from ¼ to 10, corresponding to temperatures from about 110°C to 260°C.

Customizable Display

Control which temperature scales appear in your results. If you only work with Celsius and Fahrenheit, hide the others for a cleaner interface.

Adjustable Precision

Choose between 2, 4, 6, or 8 decimal places, or use Auto mode to display only significant digits. This flexibility suits both everyday use and scientific applications.

One-Click Copying

Copy individual results or all conversions at once. Pasted values include proper formatting for easy use in documents or other applications.

Saved Preferences

Your settings (selected units, precision, source scale) are saved automatically. Return later and pick up right where you left off.

Responsive Design

The converter works on any device—desktop, tablet, or mobile. The layout adapts to your screen size while maintaining full functionality.

Conversion Formulas

All conversions use the exact mathematical formulas:

Temperature Conversion Formulas

Celsius to Fahrenheit: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
Fahrenheit to Celsius: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9
Celsius to Kelvin: K = °C + 273.15
Celsius to Rankine: °R = (°C + 273.15) × 9/5

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit?

Multiply the Celsius temperature by 9/5 (or 1.8), then add 32. The formula is: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. For example, 20°C equals (20 × 1.8) + 32 = 68°F.

What is absolute zero?

Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature, where all molecular motion stops. It equals 0 Kelvin, -273.15°C, or -459.67°F. Nothing can be colder than absolute zero.

Why do scientists use Kelvin instead of Celsius?

Kelvin starts at absolute zero, making it ideal for scientific calculations. There are no negative values in Kelvin, which simplifies many physics and chemistry equations. The size of one Kelvin degree equals one Celsius degree.

What is Gas Mark and where is it used?

Gas Mark is a temperature scale for gas ovens, primarily used in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Each mark represents a temperature increment, with Gas Mark 1 at about 135°C (275°F) and Gas Mark 9 at about 240°C (475°F).

At what temperature are Celsius and Fahrenheit the same?

Celsius and Fahrenheit are equal at -40 degrees. This is the only point where both scales show the same number: -40°C = -40°F.

How accurate are the conversions?

The conversions use precise mathematical formulas and display up to 8 decimal places. For everyday purposes, 2 decimal places provide sufficient accuracy.

Can I convert negative temperatures?

Yes, the converter handles negative temperatures correctly. Simply enter a minus sign before the number (e.g., -10).

What is the Rankine scale?

Rankine is an absolute temperature scale like Kelvin, but uses Fahrenheit-sized degrees. It starts at absolute zero (0°R = -459.67°F). Rankine is sometimes used in engineering, particularly in the United States.

Do I need an internet connection to use this tool?

After the initial page load, the converter works offline. All calculations happen in your browser without sending data to any server.