120°F is equal to 48.8889°C.
To convert 120 degrees Fahrenheit to Celsius, you subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value, then multiply the result by 5/9. This process converts the scale from Fahrenheit’s reference points to the metric Celsius scale.
Conversion Tool
Result in celcius:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert Fahrenheit (f) to Celsius (°C) is:
°C = (°F – 32) × 5/9
This works by first adjusting the Fahrenheit temperature to a scale starting at zero Celsius, by subtracting 32. Then, multiplying by 5/9 rescales the Fahrenheit degree size to Celsius since one degree Fahrenheit is 5/9 of a Celsius degree.
For example, converting 120°F:
Step 1: 120 – 32 = 88
Step 2: 88 × 5/9 = 48.8889°C
Conversion Example
- Convert 77°F to Celsius:
- Subtract 32: 77 – 32 = 45
- Multiply by 5/9: 45 × 5/9 = 25°C
- Convert 32°F to Celsius:
- Subtract 32: 32 – 32 = 0
- Multiply by 5/9: 0 × 5/9 = 0°C
- Convert 212°F to Celsius:
- Subtract 32: 212 – 32 = 180
- Multiply by 5/9: 180 × 5/9 = 100°C
- Convert 59°F to Celsius:
- Subtract 32: 59 – 32 = 27
- Multiply by 5/9: 27 × 5/9 = 15°C
Conversion Chart
| Fahrenheit (°F) | Celsius (°C) |
|---|---|
| 95.0 | 35.0 |
| 100.0 | 37.7778 |
| 105.0 | 40.5556 |
| 110.0 | 43.3333 |
| 115.0 | 46.1111 |
| 120.0 | 48.8889 |
| 125.0 | 51.6667 |
| 130.0 | 54.4444 |
| 135.0 | 57.2222 |
| 140.0 | 60.0 |
| 145.0 | 62.7778 |
The chart shows Fahrenheit temperatures on the left column and their Celsius equivalents on the right. To use it, find the Fahrenheit value close to your interest, then read across to find the Celsius equivalent.
Related Conversion Questions
- What is 120 degrees Fahrenheit in Celsius?
- How do I convert 120°F to Celsius without a calculator?
- Is 120°F hot in Celsius scale?
- What temperature in Celsius equals 120 Fahrenheit?
- How much is 120°F when converted to Celsius?
- Can you convert 120 Fahrenheit degrees to Celsius?
- What formula converts 120°F to Celsius?
Conversion Definitions
F (Fahrenheit): Fahrenheit is a temperature scale used mainly in the United States and some Caribbean countries. It defines the freezing point of water at 32°F and boiling point at 212°F under standard atmospheric conditions, dividing the scale into 180 equal parts.
Celcius (Celsius): Celsius is a metric temperature scale where 0°C represents the freezing point of water and 100°C is the boiling point. It’s widely used worldwide and based on the Kelvin scale, making it convenient for scientific and everyday temperature measurement.
Conversion FAQs
Why do we subtract 32 in the Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion?
Subtracting 32 adjusts the Fahrenheit value to a zero point that aligns with Celsius freezing point. Fahrenheit’s zero is not the freezing point of water, so removing 32 shifts the reference to where Celsius has zero degrees.
Can this conversion formula be used for negative Fahrenheit temperatures?
Yes, the formula applies for any Fahrenheit value, positive or negative. The subtraction and multiplication handle negative numbers correctly, producing accurate Celsius values below zero.
Is rounding the Celsius result necessary?
Rounding depends on the needed precision. For everyday use, one or two decimal places usually suffice. Scientific calculations might require more decimal places, as seen in the tool’s four decimal precision.
Why is the multiplier 5/9 in this formula?
The fraction 5/9 comes from the ratio of the size of each Fahrenheit degree to Celsius degree. Since 180 Fahrenheit degrees correspond to 100 Celsius degrees between freezing and boiling points, 100/180 simplifies to 5/9.
Does converting back from Celsius to Fahrenheit use a different formula?
Yes, to convert Celsius back to Fahrenheit, the formula is (°C × 9/5) + 32, reversing the previous operations to recover the Fahrenheit temperature.