How to Convert 56 Fahrenheit to Celsius

A thermometer measures temperature.

The Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales were developed around the same time -- the 18th century -- but use different values. Using the proper formula, you can convert any temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius. You may need to convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius if you have a thermometer that only measures in Fahrenheit but you want to report the temperature in Celsius. Since most of the world now uses Celsius, Americans who want to let friends or relatives abroad know how hot or cold it is may very well need to convert temperatures to Celsius.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator

Instructions

1. Turn on the calculator. You will be using the following formula to convert degrees Fahrenheit (F) to degrees Celsius (C): (F-32) times 5 divided by 9 = C.

2. Subtract 32 from 56 degrees Fahrenheit to get 22.

3. Multiply 22 by 5 to get 110.

4. Divide 110 by 9 to get 12.2 degrees Celsius.

Tips & Warnings

• Another way to get the result is to subtract 32 from degrees F and muliply the result by 0.5555 (the value of 5 divided by 9).

References

• Colorado State University: Metric System Temperature
• Alaska Science Forum: Daniel Fahrenheit, Anders Celsius Left Their Marks