16 kelvin equals -257.15 degrees celsius.
The conversion from kelvin to celsius is done by subtracting 273.15 from the kelvin temperature. Since kelvin starts at absolute zero, zero kelvin is -273.15 degrees celsius, so to convert kelvin values to celsius, you just minus 273.15.
Conversion Tool
Result in celsius:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert kelvin (K) to celsius (°C) is:
°C = K – 273.15
This works because the kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15°C, so kelvin and celsius have the same size units but different starting points. To get celsius from kelvin, we subtract 273.15.
Example: Convert 16 K to °C
- Start with 16 K
- Subtract 273.15: 16 – 273.15 = -257.15
- Result: -257.15 °C
Conversion Example
- Convert 100 K to Celsius:
- Take the kelvin value: 100
- Subtract 273.15 from it: 100 – 273.15 = -173.15
- The result is -173.15 °C
- Convert 0 K to Celsius:
- Kelvin is 0
- 0 – 273.15 = -273.15
- So 0 K equals -273.15 °C
- Convert 300 K to Celsius:
- Start with 300 Kelvin
- Subtract 273.15: 300 – 273.15 = 26.85
- So, 300 K is 26.85 °C
- Convert 273.15 K to Celsius:
- Kelvin value is 273.15
- 273.15 – 273.15 = 0
- So, this equals 0 °C, the freezing point of water
Conversion Chart
| Kelvin (K) | Celsius (°C) |
|---|---|
| -9.0 | -282.15 |
| 0.0 | -273.15 |
| 5.0 | -268.15 |
| 10.0 | -263.15 |
| 15.0 | -258.15 |
| 16.0 | -257.15 |
| 20.0 | -253.15 |
| 25.0 | -248.15 |
| 30.0 | -243.15 |
| 35.0 | -238.15 |
| 40.0 | -233.15 |
| 41.0 | -232.15 |
The table helps to quickly find celsius values for kelvin inputs between -9.0 and 41.0. Just look at the kelvin value in the first column then see the corresponding celsius in the second column. Negative kelvin values are theoretically not valid but included here for reference.
Related Conversion Questions
- What is 16 kelvin in celsius degrees?
- How cold is 16 K compared to freezing point in celsius?
- Is 16 kelvin above or below zero celsius?
- Can 16 kelvin be converted to a positive celsius value?
- What temperature equals 16 kelvin in the celsius scale?
- How do I convert 16 kelvin to celsius using a formula?
- What would 16 kelvin feel like in celsius temperature?
Conversion Definitions
Kelvin: Kelvin is a unit of temperature in the International System, it starts at absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature where particles have minimum thermal motion. Unlike celsius, kelvin does not use degrees and its zero is absolute zero, 0 K equals -273.15 °C.
Celsius: Celsius is a temperature scale based on water’s freezing and boiling points, freezing at 0 °C and boiling at 100 °C under standard pressure. It is widely used for everyday temperature measurements and scientific purposes, with equal increments to kelvin but offset by 273.15.
Conversion FAQs
Why is the kelvin value always higher than the celsius value?
Kelvin starts from absolute zero, which is the coldest temperature possible, defined as 0 K. Celsius is offset by 273.15, so kelvin numbers are larger by this amount, making kelvin values numerically higher than celsius ones for positive temperatures.
Can kelvin temperatures be negative?
No, kelvin scale starts at absolute zero and cannot be negative since it represents the minimum thermal energy possible. Negative kelvin values are physically not meaningful, although sometimes negative or unusual values appear in calculations or simulations.
Is subtracting 273.15 always accurate for converting kelvin to celsius?
Yes, subtracting 273.15 gives the exact conversion from kelvin to celsius because both scales have the same unit size; the only difference is their zero points. For practical uses, this simple subtraction is accurate enough.
What happens if I convert very small kelvin values near zero?
Near zero kelvin, the celsius value becomes very large negative number, because 0 K equals -273.15 °C. Temperatures close to zero kelvin are extremely cold and not reached in everyday conditions, they are mostly theoretical or experimental.
Are kelvin and celsius interchangeable in scientific calculations?
They can be used interchangeably for temperature differences because their unit sizes are equal, but absolute temperatures need kelvin for accuracy due to its absolute zero reference. Celsius is often used for everyday measurements but kelvin is preferred in physics.