Kelvin to Celsius Calculator
Convert Kelvin to Celsius, or Celsius back to Kelvin, instantly. Includes the formula, worked examples, and a quick reference table of common values.
Convert Kelvin and Celsius
Enter a value below and choose the direction of conversion. The calculator applies the exact formula used in physics and chemistry to give you a precise result, rounded to two decimal places.
How the Conversion Works
Three simple steps behind the result on the right
Take Your Starting Value
Start with the temperature you want to convert, either in Kelvin (K) or degrees Celsius (°C).
Add or Subtract 273.15
Kelvin and Celsius use the same size of degree, so converting between them is just a fixed offset: subtract 273.15 to go from Kelvin to Celsius, or add 273.15 to go the other way.
Read Off Your Result
The result is your converted temperature. Because Kelvin is an absolute scale, a converted value can never go below 0 K, even though Celsius can be negative.
Temperature Converter
Choose a direction, enter a value, calculate
Common Temperature Points
A handy reference for well-known temperatures in Kelvin, Celsius, and Fahrenheit.
| Reference Point | Kelvin | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute zero | 0 K | −273.15°C | −459.67°F |
| Water freezes | 273.15 K | 0°C | 32°F |
| Average room temperature | 293.15 K | 20°C | 68°F |
| Human body temperature | 310.15 K | 37°C | 98.6°F |
| Water boils | 373.15 K | 100°C | 212°F |
Kelvin to Celsius FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about converting Kelvin and Celsius.
To convert Kelvin to Celsius, subtract 273.15 from the Kelvin value: °C = K − 273.15. To convert Celsius back to Kelvin, add 273.15: K = °C + 273.15.
The Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, the theoretical point where particles have minimal thermal motion. This point corresponds to -273.15°C on the Celsius scale, so the two scales share the same size of degree but a different starting point.
No. Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale, so it cannot go below 0 K, which represents absolute zero. Celsius and Fahrenheit can both be negative, but Kelvin cannot.
Kelvin is the standard unit of temperature in science and engineering, widely used in physics, chemistry, astronomy, and thermodynamics, since it simplifies calculations involving absolute temperature.