How to Calculate Kelvin Temperatures

Kelvin temperatures are the Standard International (SI) units for science. The Celsius scale is also used for science, as well as being the common scale used in most countries. Fahrenheit is the scale commonly used in the United States. Calculating Kelvin (K) temperatures is easy, provided you can remember the formula. As long as you can perform simple division, multiplication, subtraction and addition, you'll quickly arrive at your answer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find your exact Celsius (C) temperature. Convert a Fahrenheit (F) temperature to Celsius before finding the Kelvin temperature. To do this, take the Fahrenheit temperature and subtract 32. Divide this number by 9. Multiply that result by 5. The result is degrees Celsius.

2. Calculate Kelvin temperatures by adding 273.15 degrees to the Celsius temperature. This formula is simply Celsius + 273.15 degrees = Kelvin temperature. Just remember that Kelvin temperatures are always 273.15 degrees more than Celsius.

3. Use and calculate Kelvin temperatures for science applications. Kelvin temperatures are more scientific because they are based on gas properties, whereas Celsius temperatures are based on the freezing and boiling points of water.

4. Note Kelvin (K) temperatures without the degree sign; Celsius always uses the degree notation.

5. Know that the Kelvin temperature system assigns 0 degrees K at -273.15, because it is the lowest temperature that can be achieved, absolute zero.