About the Fahrenheit to Celsius converter
Convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius for weather, cooking, travel, or science. The formula is short but easy to get wrong under time pressure, so having it worked out for you saves a mental step.
The formula
The exact conversion is (°F − 32) × 5/9 = °C. The two scales meet at −40°, which is the same temperature in both. Water freezes at 0°C / 32°F and boils at 100°C / 212°F at sea level.
Quick mental shortcuts
To go from Celsius to Fahrenheit quickly, double the Celsius number and add 30. So 20°C ≈ 70°F (real answer 68°F). Going the other way, subtract 30 and halve, so 70°F ≈ 20°C. Close enough for weather chat, not for a lab.
Common reference points
Comfortable room: 20°C / 68°F. Hot summer day: 30°C / 86°F. Body temperature: 37°C / 98.6°F. Freezing rain: −5°C / 23°F. Oven for a cake: 180°C / 356°F.
Frequently asked questions
- Which countries use Fahrenheit?
- The United States is the main everyday user. Most of the world uses Celsius, and scientists worldwide use Celsius or Kelvin.
- Is 0°C freezing?
- Yes, 0°C is the freezing point of pure water at standard atmospheric pressure, equal to 32°F.