How to Calculate Degrees

Chemistry and physics students frequently have to calculate temperatures in unfamiliar scales such as Celsius (also known as centigrade) or Kelvin as part of an assignment. Learning to do this with pencil and paper, or even doing a quick estimate in your head, is not as difficult as it may seem.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Change Fahrenheit to Celsius. Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value. Multiply your answer by 0.556. The result is the temperature in Celsius.
   To get a quick estimate, just divide by 2 instead of multiplying by 0.556. For example, to change 104 degrees Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 then divide the answer by 2. If you start with 104 and subtract 32, the answer is 72. Dividing that by 2 gives 36, which is only a few degrees off.

2. Change Celsius to Fahrenheit. Multiply the Celsius value by 1.8, then add 32. The answer is the temperature in Fahrenheit.
   A quick way to do this in your head is to multiply the Celsius temperature by 2, then add 32. For example, if you start with 30 degrees Celsius and multiply by 2, you get 60. Adding 32 gives a Fahrenheit value of 92, which is close to the correct answer.

3. Change Celsius to Kelvin. Simply add 270 to the Celsius value.

4. Change Kelvin to Celsius. Simply subtract 270 from the Kelvin value.

5. Change Fahrenheit to Kelvin. Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value. Multiply your answer by 0.556. Now add 270. The result is the Kelvin value.

6. Change Kelvin to Fahrenheit. Subtract 270 from the Kelvin value. Multiply the answer by 1.8. Now add 32. The result is the Fahrenheit value.

Resources

• Celsius to Fahrenheit online converter
• Fahrenheit to Celsius online converter

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