Temperature conversion trips people up constantly. Here are the exact formulas, quick mental maths shortcuts, and a reference table for the most common values.
Whether you're baking from an American recipe, reading a scientific paper, or just confused by a weather forecast, temperature conversion is a skill worth having locked in. Here are all three scales and how to move between them.
Celsius (°C) is the international standard used in science and most of the world. Water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C.
Fahrenheit (°F) is used primarily in the United States. Water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F.
Kelvin (K) is the scientific absolute temperature scale. 0K is absolute zero — the theoretical temperature at which all molecular motion stops. There are no negative Kelvin values. Water freezes at 273.15K.
The exact formulas require a calculator. These shortcuts are close enough for everyday use:
American recipes use Fahrenheit oven temperatures. Here are the most common, including fan vs conventional adjustments:
Fan-assisted ovens circulate air and cook more efficiently. The standard adjustment is to reduce the temperature by 20°C (about 25°F) compared to a conventional oven setting.