EngiRef / Temperature conversion

Convert Kelvin to Degrees Celsius (K to °C)

°C = K × 1 - 273.15. Convert Kelvin to degrees Celsius with the exact formula, a common-values table and a free converter.

TemperatureOffset scale8 worked values

Conversion formula

°C = K × 1 - 273.15

Temperature scales set their zero in different places, so this is an offset conversion, not a ratio. There is no single number you can multiply by: K 0 is -273.15 °C, and doubling the input does not double the result. Apply the multiplier, then the offset, in that order.

K to °C table

Common Kelvin values converted to degrees Celsius
Kelvin (K)Degrees Celsius (°C)
0 K-273.15 °C
1 K-272.15 °C
2 K-271.15 °C
5 K-268.15 °C
10 K-263.15 °C
20 K-253.15 °C
50 K-223.15 °C
100 K-173.15 °C

Every figure is computed at build time by the site’s own converter from the temperature unit registry. For a value that is not listed, put it into the interactive converter.

Frequently asked questions

What is 1 K in °C?

1 K is -272.15 °C. Because temperature scales are offset rather than proportional, this figure is not a multiplier: 100 K is -173.15 °C, not 100 times -272.15.

What is the formula to convert Kelvin to degrees Celsius?

°C = K × 1 - 273.15. Apply the multiplier first, then the offset. Every value in the table on this page is computed with that formula by the same converter the tool below runs.

How do I convert degrees Celsius back to Kelvin?

Use the inverse formula, K = °C × 1 + 273.15. The °C to K page carries the same table in that direction.