Convert kelvin to degrees Celsius

Explanation

To convert kelvin to degrees Celsius subtract 273.15.

Formula

K − 273.15=°C

kelvinK

dimension	temperature
system	International system of units (SI)
symbol	K

The kelvin (K) is the unit of temperature of the International System of Units.

Definition

It is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the Boltzmann constant k to be 1.380 649 × 10^–23 when expressed in the unit J K^–1, which is equal to kg m² s^–2 K^–1, where the kilogram, metre and second are defined in terms of h, c and ∆ν_Cs.

From the BIPM: Thermometry: SI base unit

History

The kelvin was first defined in 1954 using the triple point of water to which the temperature 273.16 K was assigned. This definition proved to be impractical and was replaced on 20 May 2019 by the present definition.

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.