17°F is equal to approximately 263.15 Kelvin.
To convert 17 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) to Kelvin (K), you first convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, then add 273.15 to get Kelvin. This two-step process accounts for the different starting points and scales used in temperature measurements.
Conversion Tool
Result in kelvin:
Conversion Formula
The formula for converting Fahrenheit to Kelvin involves two steps. First, convert Fahrenheit to Celsius using C = (F - 32) × 5/9. Then, convert Celsius to Kelvin by adding 273.15: K = C + 273.15.
This works because Fahrenheit and Celsius scales have different zero points and increments, and Kelvin uses Celsius as a base but shifted so zero Kelvin is absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature.
Example for 17°F:
- Subtract 32: 17 – 32 = -15
- Multiply by 5/9: -15 × 5/9 = -8.3333
- Add 273.15: -8.3333 + 273.15 = 264.8167 K
Rounded to 4 decimal places, 17°F equals 264.8167 K.
Conversion Example
Convert 50°F to Kelvin step-by-step:
- Subtract 32 from 50: 50 – 32 = 18
- Multiply 18 by 5/9: 18 × 5/9 = 10
- Add 273.15 to 10: 10 + 273.15 = 283.15 K
Therefore, 50°F equals 283.15 Kelvin.
Another example, convert 0°F to Kelvin:
- 0 – 32 = -32
- -32 × 5/9 = -17.7778
- -17.7778 + 273.15 = 255.3722 K
So, 0°F is about 255.37 K.
Finally, convert 100°F to Kelvin:
- 100 – 32 = 68
- 68 × 5/9 = 37.7778
- 37.7778 + 273.15 = 310.9278 K
100°F equals approximately 310.93 Kelvin.
Conversion Chart
| Fahrenheit (°F) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|
| -8.0 | 248.706 K |
| 0.0 | 255.372 K |
| 8.0 | 260.928 K |
| 17.0 | 264.817 K |
| 21.0 | 266.483 K |
| 30.0 | 270.372 K |
| 35.0 | 272.039 K |
| 42.0 | 275.039 K |
The chart shows Fahrenheit values in the left column, with their equivalent Kelvin temperatures on the right. You can find the closest Fahrenheit value you’re interested in, and quickly see how it translates to Kelvin without doing the math.
Related Conversion Questions
- How do I convert 17°F to Kelvin using a calculator?
- What is 17 degrees Fahrenheit in kelvin temperature?
- Is 17°F above or below freezing in Kelvin?
- Can I convert 17°F directly to Kelvin without Celsius?
- Why does 17°F convert to a value over 260 Kelvin?
- What formula should I use to change 17°F into Kelvin?
- How does 17°F compare to room temperature in Kelvin?
Conversion Definitions
F (Fahrenheit): Fahrenheit is a temperature scale where water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees under standard atmospheric pressure. It is used mainly in the United States and a few other countries for weather, cooking, and industrial measurement. The scale divides the temperature range between freezing and boiling of water into 180 increments called degrees.
Kelvin: Kelvin is the SI base unit for temperature, starting at absolute zero, the theoretical coldest temperature possible where particles have minimal thermal motion. Unlike Celsius or Fahrenheit, Kelvin does not use degrees and is commonly used in science and engineering for precise temperature measurements. Zero Kelvin equals -273.15°C.
Conversion FAQs
Can I convert Fahrenheit directly to Kelvin without calculating Celsius first?
Yes, you can use a combined formula to convert Fahrenheit directly to Kelvin: K = (F - 32) × 5/9 + 273.15. This skips the intermediate Celsius step but uses the same math. The key is adjusting the zero points and scale sizes once.
Why does 17°F result in a number over 260 Kelvin when Kelvin starts at absolute zero?
Because Kelvin’s zero point is absolute zero (-273.15°C), and 17°F converts to a Celsius value above -273.15°C, its Kelvin equivalent is over 260. Kelvin numbers are always positive for temperatures above absolute zero, so any Fahrenheit above -459.67°F will convert to a positive Kelvin.
Is Kelvin used in everyday temperature readings like Fahrenheit?
No, Kelvin is mostly used in scientific fields where precise and absolute temperature measurements matter, such as physics and chemistry. Fahrenheit is more common in everyday weather forecasts in some countries, while Kelvin is reserved for technical applications.
What if I enter a very low Fahrenheit value, can Kelvin be negative?
No, Kelvin temperatures cannot be negative because zero Kelvin is absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature. If you enter a Fahrenheit value below -459.67°F, the formula would produce a negative Kelvin, which is physically impossible. In practice, temperatures below absolute zero don’t exist.
Does the conversion formula change with altitude or pressure?
The conversion between Fahrenheit and Kelvin is purely mathematical and based on temperature scales, so it does not change due to altitude or pressure. However, actual physical temperature readings can vary with environment conditions, but the scales relationship stays constant.