1 kelvin (K) equals approximately -457.87 degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
To convert 1 kelvin to Fahrenheit, you subtract 273.15 from the kelvin value to get Celsius, then convert Celsius to Fahrenheit by multiplying by 9/5 and adding 32. This process changes the absolute temperature scale to a relative one used in everyday weather and cooking.
Conversion Tool
Result in fahrenheit:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert kelvin (K) to fahrenheit (°F) is: (K − 273.15) × 9/5 + 32. This formula first converts kelvin to celsius by subtracting 273.15, since 0 K equals −273.15 °C. Then it changes celsius to fahrenheit by multiplying by 9/5 and adding 32 to shift the scale to fahrenheit’s zero point.
Example:
- Start with 1 K.
- Subtract 273.15: 1 − 273.15 = −272.15 °C.
- Multiply by 9/5: −272.15 × 9/5 = −489.87.
- Add 32: −489.87 + 32 = −457.87 °F.
Conversion Example
- Convert 10 K to °F:
- 10 − 273.15 = −263.15 °C
- −263.15 × 9/5 = −473.67
- −473.67 + 32 = −441.67 °F
- Result: 10 K = −441.67 °F
- Convert 100 K to °F:
- 100 − 273.15 = −173.15 °C
- −173.15 × 9/5 = −311.67
- −311.67 + 32 = −279.67 °F
- Result: 100 K = −279.67 °F
- Convert 300 K to °F:
- 300 − 273.15 = 26.85 °C
- 26.85 × 9/5 = 48.33
- 48.33 + 32 = 80.33 °F
- Result: 300 K = 80.33 °F
Conversion Chart
| Kelvin (K) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -407.87 |
| -18.0 | -395.87 |
| -12.0 | -383.87 |
| -6.0 | -371.87 |
| 0.0 | -459.67 |
| 6.0 | -447.67 |
| 12.0 | -435.67 |
| 18.0 | -423.67 |
| 22.0 | -414.07 |
| 26.0 | -404.47 |
This chart shows kelvin values from -24.0 to 26.0 and their corresponding fahrenheit values. You can find the fahrenheit temperature for a kelvin value by looking across the row. Useful for quick reference without calculation.
Related Conversion Questions
- What is the fahrenheit equivalent of 1 kelvin?
- How many degrees fahrenheit equals 1 kelvin?
- Is 1 kelvin above or below freezing in fahrenheit?
- How do I convert 1 kelvin to fahrenheit using a formula?
- What temperature does 1 kelvin correspond to on the fahrenheit scale?
- Can you convert 1 kelvin to fahrenheit without a calculator?
- Why is 1 kelvin a negative number in fahrenheit?
Conversion Definitions
Kelvin (K): Kelvin is the base unit of temperature in the International System of Units (SI). It measures absolute temperature starting from absolute zero, the point where particles have minimal thermal motion. Kelvin does not use degrees and is mostly used in scientific contexts.
Fahrenheit (°F): Fahrenheit is a temperature scale used primarily in the United States. It sets the freezing point of water at 32 degrees and boiling at 212 degrees under standard atmospheric conditions. It’s based on a scale invented in the early 18th century.
Conversion FAQs
Why does 1 kelvin convert to a negative fahrenheit value?
Because kelvin is an absolute scale starting at absolute zero (0 K), which equals −459.67 °F. 1 K is just above absolute zero but still far below water’s freezing point, so its fahrenheit equivalent is negative.
Can I convert kelvin to fahrenheit directly without converting to celsius first?
No, the conversion formula requires subtracting 273.15 to find celsius first. The fahrenheit scale relates directly to celsius, so skipping that step would give incorrect results.
Is the kelvin to fahrenheit conversion linear?
Yes, the conversion is linear because both scales measure temperature but with different zero points and unit sizes. The formula applies a linear transformation involving multiplication and addition.
Why is kelvin used instead of fahrenheit in science?
Kelvin is preferred in science because it starts at absolute zero, making calculations involving thermal energy and physical laws simpler. Fahrenheit is less practical for scientific calculations due to its arbitrary zero point.
Does converting 1 K to °F depend on atmospheric pressure?
No, temperature conversions between kelvin and fahrenheit are independent of pressure since both are temperature scales, not measurements affected by pressure directly.