How the conversion works
Celsius and Fahrenheit are two scales for measuring the same thing, they just start counting from different points. Water freezes at 0°C, which is 32°F, and boils at 100°C, which is 212°F. Every Celsius degree is nine-fifths of a Fahrenheit degree, which is where the formulas below come from.
Celsius to Fahrenheit
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
Fahrenheit to Celsius
°C = (°F − 32) × 5/9
Common reference points
- −40°C is exactly −40°F, the one point where the scales meet.
- 0°C (freezing point of water) is 32°F.
- 21°C, a comfortable room, is about 70°F.
- 37°C, normal body temperature, is 98.6°F.
- 100°C (boiling point of water) is 212°F.