Convert Kelvin to Celsius
1 kelvin = -272.15 celsius (K to °C).
The kelvin and the celsius are two different temperature scales, so converting between them means shifting and rescaling the reading rather than multiplying by a single factor. On this page a kelvin reading of 1° works out to -272.15 celsius. Enter any value above to convert it instantly, and use the chart below for the readings people look up most.
1 K = -272.15 °C
How to convert Kelvin to Celsius
Formula: °C = K − 273.15
Example: 10 kelvin = -263.15 celsius.
Kelvin and Celsius share an identical degree size — a difference of 1 K is the same temperature change as a difference of 1 °C. What separates them is the zero point: Kelvin starts at absolute zero (the lowest possible temperature), while Celsius sets zero at the freezing point of water. Converting from Kelvin to Celsius is therefore a simple subtraction: °C = K − 273.15.
Scientific literature almost always states temperature in Kelvin, which is why this conversion matters to anyone reading physics papers, chemistry data sheets, or astronomy reports. Liquid nitrogen boils at 77.36 K, or −195.79 °C. The surface of the Sun is approximately 5,778 K — 5,504.85 °C — a figure that makes more intuitive sense to most readers in Celsius even if Kelvin is the SI base unit.
Spectroscopy and colour temperature in photography use Kelvin directly. A 'daylight' light source is rated at around 5,500–6,500 K (5,227–6,227 °C), while a warm tungsten bulb sits near 2,700 K (2,427 °C). Camera white-balance settings display Kelvin values; knowing the Celsius equivalents helps when cross-referencing with meteorological or materials data.
One gotcha: the Kelvin scale has no degree symbol. Writing '300 K' is correct; '300 °K' is not. This differs from Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F). The distinction matters in technical documents where a stray degree symbol can cause confusion about which scale is being used.
Kelvin to Celsius Conversion Chart
| Kelvin | Celsius |
|---|---|
| 1 K | -272.15 °C |
| 2 K | -271.15 °C |
| 3 K | -270.15 °C |
| 5 K | -268.15 °C |
| 10 K | -263.15 °C |
| 20 K | -253.15 °C |
| 25 K | -248.15 °C |
| 50 K | -223.15 °C |
| 100 K | -173.15 °C |
| 1000 K | 726.85 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many celsius are in a kelvin?
- There are -272.15 celsius in 1 kelvin.
- How do you convert kelvin to celsius?
- Formula: °C = K − 273.15
- What is 5 kelvin in celsius?
- 5 kelvin equals -268.15 celsius.
- What is 100 kelvin in celsius?
- 100 kelvin equals -173.15 celsius.
- What is 1 celsius in kelvin?
- 1 celsius equals 274.15 kelvin.
- Is this kelvin to celsius converter free?
- Yes. The converter is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser — the values you enter never leave your device.