To convert fahrenheit to celsius, subtract 32 and divide by 1.8 (multiply by 5/9). The relation is exact: 32 °F = 0 °C and 212 °F = 100 °C, so 68 °F = 20 °C and 350 °F ≈ 176.7 °C.
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How to use the fahrenheit to celsius converter
- Enter the temperature in °F, for example 98.6.
- Read the fahrenheit to celsius converter result: (98.6 − 32) ÷ 1.8 = 37 °C.
- For a temperature change, skip the 32: a rise of 18 °F is a rise of 10 °C.
What is the Fahrenheit to Celsius formula?
°C = (°F − 32) × 5/9 (or (°F − 32) ÷ 1.8)
The Celsius–Fahrenheit relationship is exact: a Fahrenheit degree is 5/9 of a Celsius degree and water freezes at 0 °C = 32 °F.
What are Fahrenheit and Celsius?
Temperature measures how hot or cold something is. Celsius and Fahrenheit are everyday scales, kelvin is the SI base unit used in science (0 K is absolute zero), and Rankine is an absolute scale using Fahrenheit-sized degrees.
Fahrenheit to celsius worked examples
- A typical body temperature: (98.6 − 32) ÷ 1.8 = 37 °C
- A thermostat setting: (72 − 32) ÷ 1.8 = 22.2 °C
- A common oven setting: (350 − 32) ÷ 1.8 = 176.7 °C
Conversion chart
| °F | °C | °F | °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| −40 | −40 | 68 | 20 |
| 0 | −17.8 | 70 | 21.1 |
| 10 | −12.2 | 75 | 23.9 |
| 20 | −6.7 | 80 | 26.7 |
| 32 | 0 | 90 | 32.2 |
| 40 | 4.4 | 98.6 | 37 |
| 50 | 10 | 100 | 37.8 |
| 60 | 15.6 | 212 | 100 |
Values are rounded to one decimal place.
Quick mental conversion
Subtract 30 and halve for a rough estimate: 70 °F → 20 °C (exact 21.1 °C).
Weather and thermostat temperatures
| °F | °C | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | −17.8 | Very cold |
| 32 | 0 | Freezing point of water |
| 50 | 10 | Cool |
| 68 | 20 | Mild room temperature |
| 72 | 22.2 | Typical thermostat setting |
| 86 | 30 | Hot |
| 100 | 37.8 | Very hot |
Oven settings
| °F | °C |
|---|---|
| 325 | 162.8 (often 160 or 170) |
| 350 | 176.7 (often 180) |
| 375 | 190.6 (often 190) |
| 400 | 204.4 (often 200) |
| 425 | 218.3 (often 220) |
| 450 | 232.2 (often 230) |
Safe cooking temperatures in °C
USDA safe minimum internal temperatures are published in °F. In °C:
| Food (USDA) | °F | °C |
|---|---|---|
| Beef, pork, veal and lamb steaks, chops and roasts (then rest 3 minutes) | 145 | 62.8 |
| Fish and shellfish | 145 | 62.8 |
| Ground meats | 160 | 71.1 |
| Poultry, including ground poultry | 165 | 73.9 |
| Leftovers and casseroles | 165 | 73.9 |
Use a food thermometer in the thickest part of the food, away from bone, fat or gristle. Holding hot food above 140 °F (60 °C) and keeping cold food at or below 40 °F (4.4 °C) are the other two USDA reference points.
The formula in code
In C, C++ and Java, writing (f – 32) * 5 / 9 works, but 5 / 9 * (f – 32) gives 0, because 5 / 9 is integer division. Write 5.0 / 9.0 or divide by 1.8 to stay in floating point. In a spreadsheet, =(A1-32)/1.8 or =CONVERT(A1,”F”,”C”) does the job. Use the celsius to fahrenheit converter for the reverse and the temperature converter for kelvin.
Extreme weather and hot tubs
US weather alerts use Fahrenheit. A heat warning at 100 °F is 37.8 °C, and a cold snap at 0 °F is −17.8 °C. When reading a US forecast abroad, a fahrenheit to celsius conversion for the high and low gives a better sense of how to dress than the number alone.
Hot tubs are limited to 104 °F in the US, which is exactly 40 °C. Swimming pools are usually kept around 78 to 82 °F, or about 25.6 to 27.8 °C. Pool heaters sold in Europe show Celsius, so these figures help when setting one up.
Storage temperatures on labels
Medicine labels often say “store at 68 to 77 °F (20 to 25 °C)”, which is the US definition of controlled room temperature. Some products allow brief trips up to 86 °F, or 30 °C. If a label only shows Fahrenheit, convert before storing it in a hot car or a warm cupboard; a few degrees can shorten shelf life.
Ovens in Europe are often marked only in Celsius, sometimes with a fan symbol. A US recipe at 350 °F needs about 175 °C, or around 160 °C on a fan oven, since fan ovens cook faster. A fahrenheit to celsius conversion gets the base number; the fan adjustment is a separate step that the oven manual explains. Candy and frying thermometers are often dual-scale, which is the easiest way to avoid mistakes at high heat.
Related converters and calculators
Related conversions:
- Celsius to fahrenheit: °C to °F
- Temperature converter: °C, °F, K
- Temperature difference converter: ΔC and ΔF
- lbs to kg: lb to kg
- Inches to cm: in to cm
Sources
NIST Special Publication 811, Appendix B; USDA FSIS: Safe minimum internal temperature chart.
Questions about this calculator
What is the fahrenheit to celsius formula?
°C = (°F − 32) ÷ 1.8.
What is 350 °F in °C?
About 176.7 °C; ovens often round to 180 °C.
What is 98.6 °F in °C?
37 °C.
What is 165 °F in °C?
About 73.9 °C, the USDA minimum for poultry.
Why does 5/9 give 0 in C code?
5 and 9 are integers, so 5/9 is integer division; use 5.0/9.0.
Check the assumptions and units before relying on a result. Financial, tax and health estimates do not replace advice for your individual circumstances.
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