How to Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (and Vice Versa)

If you have a conversation about the weather with some from overseas, you might get lost in translation wondering if the person is describing hot weather or cold. That's because outside the US, people measure temperature on the metric scale, Celsius. Luckily, converting Celsius to Fahrenheit and Fahrenheit to Celsius is a snap. This skill will serve you well when traveling and reading foreign weather reports too.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pencil and paper, or
• calculator,
• or cell phone

1. Pretend that the temperature outside is 30 degrees Celsius. If you want to know what temperature that is Fahrenheit, first multiply 30 by 1.8 to get 54. Then add 32 to get 86. That means 30 degC is the same as 86 degF. If C is the Celsius temperature and F is the Fahrenheit temperature, then 1.8C + 32 = F.

2. Now, pretend that the temperature is 68 degF. If you want to know what that is in Celsius, first subtract 32 from 68 to get 36. Then multiply 36 by .555 to get 20 degC. That means 68 degF is the same as 20 degC. Or in math notation, .555(F - 32) = C

3. The absolute easiest way to convert is to use the conversion feature on your cell phone if you have it. If your phone has internet capability, it's even easier.

4. Knowing how to convert will serve you well when traveling abroad. If you hear a news report that he weather will be 27 degC the next day, you might decide to stay in because you think 27 is too cold. But 27 degrees Celsius is the same as 80 degrees Fahrenheit! Very nice weather.

Tips & Warnings

• Try it out next time you travel to the Caribbean, Europe, or Asia!

[Upon-Request]

on 12/21/2008 Great tip - thanks. I always stumble on this conversion. Maybe this time it will stick ;)