Celsius to Kelvin (°C to K)

Celsius to Kelvin (°C to K) conversion calculator

0°C = 273.15K

Kelvin to Celsius (K to °C) (Swap units)

0°C = 273.15K

Accuracy

Note: You can increase or decrease the accuracy of this answer by selecting the number of significant figures required from the options above the result.

Celsius to Kelvin (°C to K) calculation

Kelvin = Celsius + 273.15

Kelvin = 0 + 273.15

Kelvin = 273.15

 

Celsius to Kelvin (°C to K) conversion formula

Kelvin = Celsius + 273.15

Converting from Celsius to Kelvin

Converting Celsius to Kelvin is a straightforward process that involves adding 273.15 to the Celsius temperature. Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale, where 0 Kelvin represents absolute zero, the point at which all molecular motion ceases. Celsius, on the other hand, is a relative temperature scale commonly used in everyday life.

To convert Celsius to Kelvin, simply take the Celsius temperature and add 273.15. For example, if you have a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the conversion to Kelvin would be 25 + 273.15 = 298.15 Kelvin. This conversion is useful in scientific and engineering applications where absolute temperature measurements are required.

It is important to note that Kelvin and Celsius have the same size degree, meaning that a change of 1 degree Celsius is equivalent to a change of 1 Kelvin. This makes the conversion between the two scales relatively simple and intuitive. By adding 273.15 to a Celsius temperature, you can easily obtain the corresponding Kelvin value.

Why convert from Celsius to Kelvin?

Converting from Celsius to Kelvin is a fundamental process in the field of thermodynamics and scientific research. While Celsius is commonly used for everyday temperature measurements, Kelvin is the preferred unit for scientific calculations and analysis. The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale that starts at absolute zero, which is the lowest possible temperature in the universe.

One of the main reasons for converting from Celsius to Kelvin is to eliminate negative values. In the Celsius scale, zero degrees represents the freezing point of water, while 100 degrees represents the boiling point of water at sea level. However, negative values are possible in Celsius, which can be inconvenient for certain calculations. By converting to Kelvin, the scale starts at absolute zero (0 K), where all molecular motion ceases. This allows for more accurate and precise calculations, especially in scientific experiments and research involving gases, thermodynamics, and heat transfer.

Additionally, Kelvin is used extensively in scientific equations, such as the ideal gas law and the laws of thermodynamics. These equations often involve temperature differences or ratios, and using Kelvin ensures that the calculations are consistent and accurate. Converting from Celsius to Kelvin is a simple process, as the two scales have a direct relationship. To convert, simply add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature, resulting in the equivalent temperature in Kelvin.

About the Celsius scale

Celsius, also known as centigrade, is a unit of measurement for temperature in the metric system. It is named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius, who first proposed the Celsius scale in 1742. The Celsius scale is widely used around the world, particularly in scientific and everyday applications.

The Celsius scale is based on the concept of dividing the range between the freezing and boiling points of water into 100 equal intervals. On this scale, the freezing point of water is defined as 0 degrees Celsius (°C), while the boiling point of water is defined as 100 degrees Celsius. This makes it a convenient scale for measuring temperature, as it aligns with the physical properties of water, which is a fundamental substance in our daily lives.

The Celsius scale is commonly used in weather forecasts, scientific experiments, and everyday temperature measurements. It provides a simple and intuitive way to express temperature, with positive values indicating temperatures above freezing and negative values indicating temperatures below freezing.

About the Kelvin scale

The Kelvin scale is a temperature scale that is based on the Celsius scale, but with a different starting point. The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale, meaning that it starts at absolute zero, the point at which all molecular motion ceases. In contrast, the Celsius scale starts at the freezing point of water.

The Kelvin scale is defined by the Kelvin unit, which is equal in size to the Celsius degree. However, the zero point on the Kelvin scale is set at absolute zero, which is equivalent to -273.15 degrees Celsius. This means that the Kelvin scale does not have negative values, as all temperatures are measured relative to absolute zero.

The Kelvin scale is widely used in scientific and engineering applications, particularly in fields such as physics and chemistry. It is especially useful when working with gases and other materials at extremely low temperatures, as it allows for precise measurements and calculations. The Kelvin scale is also used in many international standards and scientific research, making it an important unit of measurement in the scientific community.

What happens at absolute zero (0K)?

At absolute zero, also known as 0 Kelvin (0K) or -273.15 degrees Celsius, the temperature is at its lowest possible point. At this extreme temperature, the kinetic energy of atoms and molecules reaches its minimum, causing them to come to a complete standstill. As a result, all molecular motion ceases, and matter becomes as still as it can be.

At this temperature, several fascinating phenomena occur. One of the most notable is the complete absence of heat energy. As there is no molecular motion, there is no transfer of heat from one object to another. This absence of heat energy has significant implications for various physical properties. For instance, materials become extremely brittle, and their electrical resistance drops to zero. Additionally, gases condense into liquids, and liquids freeze into solids, as the lack of molecular motion prevents them from maintaining their fluid state.

Scientists have never been able to achieve absolute zero in practice, as it is an idealized concept. However, by cooling substances to extremely low temperatures, they have been able to observe and study the effects of approaching absolute zero. These experiments have provided valuable insights into the behavior of matter and have led to the development of technologies such as superconductors and Bose-Einstein condensates.

 

Celsius to Kelvin table

Starting value
Increment
Accuracy
Format
Celsius
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Kelvin
273.15K
274.15K
275.15K
276.15K
277.15K
278.15K
279.15K
280.15K
281.15K
282.15K
Celsius
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Kelvin
283.15K
284.15K
285.15K
286.15K
287.15K
288.15K
289.15K
290.15K
291.15K
292.15K
Celsius
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Kelvin
293.15K
294.15K
295.15K
296.15K
297.15K
298.15K
299.15K
300.15K
301.15K
302.15K
Celsius
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Kelvin
303.15K
304.15K
305.15K
306.15K
307.15K
308.15K
309.15K
310.15K
311.15K
312.15K
; ; ; ;