What is 1 K in Celsius?

1 K = -272.15 °C. In the other direction, 1 °C = 274.15 K.

What is the Kelvin scale?

The kelvin is the SI base unit of thermodynamic temperature, starting at absolute zero. It shares Celsius’ degree size, so a rise of 1 K is a rise of 1 °C. Values are written without a degree symbol.

What is the Celsius scale?

The Celsius scale places 0 at the freezing point of water and 100 at its boiling point at standard pressure. It is the civil temperature scale almost everywhere outside the United States.

Unit-To-Unit Temperature conversion

Kelvin to Celsius

1 K = -272.15 °C

Subtract 273.15. Absolute zero is −273.15 °C, the point at which a system holds no thermal energy to remove.

Formula °C = K − 273.15

Kelvin (K) max 24 digits

Celsius (°C) max 24 digits

Type in either field — the other updates on every keystroke. Need other units? Open the full temperature converter.

Kelvin to Celsius — quick reference
Kelvin	Celsius
-40 K	-313.15 °C
-20 K	-293.15 °C
-10 K	-283.15 °C
0 K	-273.15 °C
10 K	-263.15 °C
20 K	-253.15 °C
25 K	-248.15 °C
30 K	-243.15 °C
37 K	-236.15 °C
50 K	-223.15 °C
75 K	-198.15 °C
100 K	-173.15 °C
200 K	-73.15 °C

Celsius to Kelvin — reverse
Celsius	Kelvin
-40 °C	233.15 K
-20 °C	253.15 K
-10 °C	263.15 K
0 °C	273.15 K
10 °C	283.15 K
20 °C	293.15 K
25 °C	298.15 K
30 °C	303.15 K
37 °C	310.15 K
50 °C	323.15 K
75 °C	348.15 K
100 °C	373.15 K
200 °C	473.15 K

Worked examples

Common values
Situation	From	To
Absolute zero	0 K	-273.15 °C
Liquid helium boils	4.2 K	-268.95 °C
Liquid nitrogen boils	77 K	-196.15 °C
Water freezes	273.15 K	0 °C
Common lab temperature	300 K	26.85 °C
Surface of the Sun	5,772 K	5,498.85 °C

Mental-math shortcut

Subtract 273. The exact figure is 273.15.

Where this conversion comes up

Scientific data is often given in kelvin. 300 K, often used as room temperature in physics, is 26.85°C.

Common mistakes

Nothing can be below 0 K, so a negative kelvin answer means an error. Do not use a degree sign with kelvin.

Background

A kelvin is the same size as a degree Celsius, but zero kelvin is absolute zero, where particles have minimal thermal motion.

Learn more

Frequently asked

What is 1 K in Celsius?: 1 K = -272.15 °C. In the other direction, 1 °C = 274.15 K.
What is the Kelvin scale?: The kelvin is the SI base unit of thermodynamic temperature, starting at absolute zero. It shares Celsius’ degree size, so a rise of 1 K is a rise of 1 °C. Values are written without a degree symbol.
What is the Celsius scale?: The Celsius scale places 0 at the freezing point of water and 100 at its boiling point at standard pressure. It is the civil temperature scale almost everywhere outside the United States.
What is 300 K in Celsius?: 300 K is 26.85°C.

Related temperature conversions

Celsius to Fahrenheit Fahrenheit to Celsius Celsius to Kelvin Fahrenheit to Kelvin Rankine to Celsius