Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter
Convert any temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius and Kelvin.
How to use this fahrenheit to celsius
- 1Enter the temperature in Fahrenheit.
- 2The converter shows Celsius and Kelvin instantly.
- 3For weather: 32°F = 0°C (freezing), 72°F = 22.2°C (comfortable), 98.6°F = 37°C (body temp), 212°F = 100°C (boiling).
- 4For oven settings: 325°F = 163°C, 350°F = 177°C, 375°F = 191°C, 400°F = 204°C, 425°F = 218°C.
- 5For non-US users reading US recipes or weather reports, this instantly contextualizes the Fahrenheit value.
- 6Mental shortcut: subtract 32, then divide by 2 for a rough Celsius value (slightly high, within 10%).
How it's calculated
°C = (°F − 32) × 5/9. K = °C + 273.15.
About the Fahrenheit to Celsius
Fahrenheit to Celsius is the conversion direction that international visitors, people reading US weather reports, and anyone following American cooking recipes need constantly. The formula is °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9, which accounts for both the different zero point (32°F = 0°C) and the different scale size (a Fahrenheit degree is 5/9 the size of a Celsius degree).
Understanding the US temperature scale is essential for anyone interacting with American weather reports, recipes, or medical references. US news and weather describe summer heat waves in numbers like 95°F, 100°F, and "feels like 108°F with humidity" — which are 35°C, 37.8°C, and 42.2°C respectively. Without the conversion, these numbers convey no intuitive sense of severity to someone accustomed to Celsius. Conversely, a US traveler looking at a UK forecast showing 28°C needs to convert to know it's 82.4°F — warm but not extreme.
Oven temperatures are one of the most practically important conversion use cases. American baking recipes universally use Fahrenheit for oven settings: 325°F, 350°F, 375°F, 400°F, 425°F, 450°F are the standard settings used in US cookbooks. European and Australian ovens display Celsius, and most recipes from those regions specify Celsius. The key conversions to memorize: 325°F = 163°C (slow/gentle), 350°F = 177°C (standard baking), 375°F = 191°C (moderate hot), 400°F = 204°C (hot), 425°F = 218°C (very hot).
Body temperature in medical contexts varies by measurement location and method, and the US still primarily uses Fahrenheit for this purpose. Oral temperature normal range: 97.6–99.6°F (36.4–37.6°C). Rectal temperature (higher): 97.9–100.4°F (36.6–38°C). Ear and forehead temperatures vary. Fever typically defined as above 100.4°F (38°C). Understanding both scales helps patients interpret medical advice that may reference one or the other.
Food safety temperatures are also expressed in Fahrenheit in US USDA guidelines and Celsius in international food safety standards. Safe internal cooking temperatures: 145°F (62.8°C) for whole cuts of meat, 160°F (71.1°C) for ground meat, 165°F (73.9°C) for poultry. Refrigerator temperatures: below 40°F (4.4°C). These are critical reference points for food safety, and understanding both unit systems is particularly important in professional food service where international staff and equipment may use either scale.
Frequently asked questions
What is 98.6°F in Celsius?
(98.6 − 32) × 5/9 = 37°C — the standard normal human body temperature. A fever in Fahrenheit is typically 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
What is 350°F in Celsius?
(350 − 32) × 5/9 = 176.7°C, rounded to 177°C — the most common baking temperature in US recipes, equivalent to a moderate oven in metric terms.
What is 72°F in Celsius?
(72 − 32) × 5/9 = 22.2°C — a comfortable room temperature in both scales. US indoor temperatures are often set around 68–72°F, equivalent to 20–22°C.
How do I convert Fahrenheit to Celsius without a calculator?
Subtract 32, then multiply by 5/9 (or divide by 1.8). For a quick rough estimate: subtract 32, then divide by 2 — this gives a result that's slightly too high but within about 10%. Example: 80°F → subtract 32 = 48 → divide by 2 = 24°C rough estimate (true: 26.7°C). For better accuracy, use ×5/9 instead.
What is the Fahrenheit equivalent of a high fever?
A high fever is 39.5°C (103.1°F) or above. A dangerous fever requiring emergency attention is generally considered 40°C (104°F) or above in adults. In the US, parents are commonly instructed to call a doctor for any fever above 103°F (39.4°C) in children, which corresponds to exactly 103°F.