Convert degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius

Explanation

To convert degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius subtract 32 then multiply by 5 and divide by 9.

Formula

(°F − 32) × 5 / 9=°C

degrees Fahrenheit°F

dimension	temperature
symbol	°F
search alias	f

The degree Fahrenheit (°F) is a unit of temperature.

Definition

The Fahrenheit scale uses the freezing and boiling point of water as fixed reference points. The values associated to these two points are 32 °F and 212 °F respectively.

History

In its original proposal in 1724, Fahrenheit used the temperature of a solution of brine to set the 0 of his scale and the average temperature of the human body was set at 96 °F. 32 °F was marked as the temperature of freezing water.

Following the work of Anders Celsius, the Fahrenheit scale was redefined in 1776 to the present definition. This redefinition changed the temperature of the original solution of brine to approximately 4 °F and the average human body temperature to 98.6 °F.

Related Conversions

degrees Celsius°C

dimension	temperature
symbol	°C
synonyms	degree centigrade
search alias	c

The degree Celsius (°C) is a unit of temperature accepted for use alongside the International System of Units.

Definition

The Celsius scale's zero is equal to 273.15 kelvin and an interval of one degree Celsius equals an interval of one kelvin.

History

In 1742, Anders Celsius, a swedish astronomer, created the centigrade temperature scale. On this scale, the 0 represented the boiling point of water at mean sea level, and 100 the freezing point of water.

In 1743, Jean-Pierre Christin, a French physicist, inverted the scale so that 0 represented the freezing point of water and 100 the boiling point.

And in 1948, the BIPM renamed the centigrade scale the Celsius scale to honor Anders Celsius.