Celsius to Kelvin Converter
0 degrees Celsius = 273.15 Kelvin
Conversion formula
K = C + 273.15
To convert Celsius to Kelvin, simply add 273.15. The Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero (-273.15 C), so Kelvin = Celsius + 273.15. Both scales have the same increment size.
Celsius to Kelvin Table
| Celsius (°C) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|
| -273.15 | 0 |
| -196 | 77.15 |
| -78 | 195.15 |
| 0 | 273.15 |
| 20 | 293.15 |
| 25 | 298.15 |
| 37 | 310.15 |
| 100 | 373.15 |
| 1000 | 1,273.15 |
| 5500 | 5,773.15 |
1 celsius in every temperature unit
| Fahrenheit | 33.8 °F |
| Kelvin | 274.15 K |
| Rankine | 493.47 R |
About Celsius to Kelvin
The Celsius-to-Kelvin conversion is the simplest temperature conversion - just add 273.15. The Kelvin scale is the SI base unit for temperature and is used throughout science and engineering.
Absolute zero - 0 K or -273.15 C - is the theoretical minimum temperature where all molecular motion ceases. Nothing in the universe can be colder. The coldest temperature ever achieved in a lab is about 38 picokelvin (3.8 x 10^-11 K).
Key scientific reference points: liquid nitrogen boils at 77.15 K (-196 C), used in cryogenics and flash-freezing. Dry ice sublimates at 195.15 K (-78 C). Room temperature is about 293-298 K (20-25 C). Water boils at 373.15 K (100 C).
In astrophysics, the cosmic microwave background radiation has a temperature of 2.725 K (-270.4 C). The surface of the Sun is about 5,778 K (5,505 C). The core of the Sun reaches 15.7 million K.
The Kelvin scale is essential in thermodynamic calculations because it starts at absolute zero. Gas law equations (PV = nRT), blackbody radiation, and entropy calculations all require Kelvin. Using Celsius in these formulas would give wrong results.
Note: Kelvin does not use the degree symbol. It is simply "273.15 K," not "273.15 degrees K."
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert Celsius to Kelvin?
Add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature. For example, 25 C = 25 + 273.15 = 298.15 K. The conversion is a simple addition because both scales have the same increment size.
What is 0 Celsius in Kelvin?
0 C equals 273.15 K. This is the freezing point of water at standard atmospheric pressure.
Why does Kelvin not have a degree symbol?
The 13th General Conference on Weights and Measures (1967) eliminated the degree symbol for Kelvin. It is simply "K," not "degrees K," because Kelvin is an absolute scale, not relative.
What is absolute zero in Celsius?
Absolute zero is -273.15 C (0 K). At this temperature, atoms have minimum possible energy. It has never been reached in practice, though laboratories have come within billionths of a degree.