Understanding Kelvin and Celsius
Kelvin (K) is the SI base unit for temperature and the absolute temperature scale used in science. Unlike Celsius and Fahrenheit, Kelvin starts at absolute zero — the coldest possible temperature where molecular motion stops completely.
Celsius (°C) is based on the freezing (0°C) and boiling (100°C) points of water at standard pressure. The two scales have the same increment size — a change of 1°C equals a change of 1 K.
Common Temperature References
| Description | Celsius (°C) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute zero | −273.15 | 0 |
| Liquid nitrogen | −196 | 77.15 |
| Dry ice (CO₂) | −78.5 | 194.65 |
| Water freezes | 0 | 273.15 |
| Room temperature | 20 | 293.15 |
| Human body | 37 | 310.15 |
| Water boils | 100 | 373.15 |
| Oven baking | 200 | 473.15 |
| Iron melts | 1538 | 1811.15 |
| Sun's surface | 5505 | 5778.15 |
Why Use Kelvin?
- Absolute scale: 0 K is the lowest possible temperature, making calculations simpler
- Scientific standard: Required for thermodynamic calculations (gas laws, entropy)
- No negatives: Useful when dealing with ratios and proportions
- Color temperature: Light sources are measured in Kelvin (e.g., 5500K daylight)
Privacy & Limitations
- All calculations run entirely in your browser -- nothing is sent to any server.
- Results are estimates and may vary based on actual conditions.
Related Tools
- Temperature Converter -- Convert between Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin
- Oven Temperature Converter -- Convert between Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Gas Mark
- Energy Converter -- Convert between joules and kilowatt-hours
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