20 degrees Celsius equals 293.15 kelvin.
To convert 20 °C to kelvin, you add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature. This is because the kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15 °C, so adding 273.15 shifts the Celsius measurement to kelvin.
Conversion Tool
Result in kelvin:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert Celsius (°C) to kelvin (K) is:
K = °C + 273.15
This formula works by shifting the Celsius scale so that zero kelvin represents absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature where molecular motion stops. Since 0 °C equals 273.15 K, adding 273.15 to any Celsius temperature gives its kelvin equivalent.
For example, converting 20 °C to kelvin:
- Start with 20 °C
- Add 273.15 to 20: 20 + 273.15 = 293.15
- The result is 293.15 K
Conversion Example
- Convert 0 °C to kelvin:
- Take 0 °C
- Add 273.15 so 0 + 273.15 = 273.15 K
- Temperature is 273.15 kelvin
- Convert -10 °C to kelvin:
- Start with -10 °C
- Add 273.15: -10 + 273.15 = 263.15 K
- Temperature in kelvin is 263.15
- Convert 37 °C to kelvin:
- Take 37 °C
- Add 273.15: 37 + 273.15 = 310.15 K
- Final temperature is 310.15 kelvin
Conversion Chart
| Celsius (°C) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|
| -5.0 | 268.15 |
| 0.0 | 273.15 |
| 5.0 | 278.15 |
| 10.0 | 283.15 |
| 15.0 | 288.15 |
| 20.0 | 293.15 |
| 25.0 | 298.15 |
| 30.0 | 303.15 |
| 35.0 | 308.15 |
| 40.0 | 313.15 |
| 45.0 | 318.15 |
To find the kelvin value for any temperature in Celsius from the chart, just locate the Celsius temperature in the left column, then read the corresponding kelvin value on the right. This helps quickly compare temperatures between these scales.
Related Conversion Questions
- What is 20 degrees Celsius in kelvin exactly?
- How do you convert 20°C to kelvin without a calculator?
- Is 20 Celsius warmer or colder than 293 kelvin?
- What temperature in kelvin equals 20 degrees Celsius?
- How many kelvins is 20°C on the temperature scale?
- Can 20 degrees Celsius be converted to kelvin using a simple formula?
- Why does 20°C plus 273.15 equal kelvin value?
Conversion Definitions
Celsius (°C): Celsius scale measures temperature based on the freezing point of water at 0 °C and boiling at 100 °C under standard atmospheric pressure. It’s widely used in daily life, especially for weather, cooking, and scientific measurements related to temperature changes.
Kelvin (K): Kelvin is the SI unit for temperature, starting at absolute zero, the lowest theoretical temperature possible. Unlike Celsius, kelvin has no negative numbers and is used mainly in science to measure thermal energy and temperature in physics and chemistry.
Conversion FAQs
Why do we add 273.15 to convert Celsius to kelvin?
The kelvin scale starts at absolute zero (-273.15 °C), so adding 273.15 shifts the Celsius value up to align with kelvin. This makes 0 K the coldest possible temperature, and all kelvin values are positive, unlike Celsius which can be negative.
Can kelvin values be negative?
No, kelvin values cannot be negative because the scale begins at absolute zero, where molecular motion theoretically stops. Temperatures below 0 K are not physically possible in classical thermodynamics.
Is 20 °C a warm temperature in kelvin terms?
At 293.15 K, 20 °C is considered room temperature, comfortable for humans. The kelvin value just shifts the scale but the sensation of warmth or cold remains the same compared to Celsius.
Are Celsius and kelvin scales linear with each other?
Yes, Celsius and kelvin scales have a linear relationship, differing only by a constant offset of 273.15. This means converting is straightforward by addition or subtraction, with no complex calculations involved.
Can I use this conversion for extreme temperatures?
The formula works for any temperature within physical limits. However, at extremely low or high temperatures, quantum or relativistic effects might require more complex models, but for everyday and scientific use, this formula suffices.