Convert °C to °F instantly. Formula: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32.
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
| Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|---|
| -40°C | -40.0°F |
| -20°C | -4.0°F |
| -10°C | 14.0°F |
| 0°C | 32.0°F |
| 10°C | 50.0°F |
| 20°C | 68.0°F |
| 25°C | 77.0°F |
| 37°C | 98.6°F |
| 100°C | 212.0°F |
| 180°C | 356.0°F |
The formula °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32 is the algebraic inverse of the Fahrenheit-to-Celsius formula. Multiplying by 9/5 (or 1.8) accounts for the different interval sizes between the two scales: there are 180 Fahrenheit degrees between water's freezing and boiling points but only 100 Celsius degrees, so each Celsius degree = 1.8 Fahrenheit degrees. Adding 32 then shifts the zero point to align with the Fahrenheit scale, where water freezes at 32°F rather than 0°F.
A widely used mental approximation: multiply Celsius by 2 and add 30. This is faster but less accurate. At 20°C: exact = 68°F, approximate = 70°F (close). At 0°C: exact = 32°F, approximate = 30°F (off by 2°). At 100°C: exact = 212°F, approximate = 230°F (off by 18°). Use this shortcut only for rough weather estimates; for cooking or medical temperatures, use the precise formula.
Weather temperatures: A European forecast of 25°C is a warm summer day = 77°F. A cold 5°C autumn day = 41°F (light jacket weather). A heatwave of 40°C = 104°F (dangerously hot). Freezing at 0°C = 32°F. A pleasant spring day of 15°C = 59°F.
Oven temperatures for baking: European and most international recipes list oven temperatures in Celsius. 160°C = 320°F (slow bake). 180°C = 356°F (standard — set oven to 350°F). 200°C = 392°F (hot oven — set to 400°F). 220°C = 428°F (very hot, bread crust). 240°C = 464°F (pizza oven temperature).
Refrigerator and freezer settings: A refrigerator should be kept at 1–4°C = 33.8–39.2°F. Freezers should maintain −18°C = 0°F or below. European appliances display Celsius; if set with US expectations in mind, the wrong setting can lead to food safety issues.
Medical and body temperature: 37°C = 98.6°F (normal). 38°C = 100.4°F (low fever). 39°C = 102.2°F (moderate fever). 40°C = 104°F (high fever, seek care). European hospitals and thermometers display Celsius; Americans need to know these Fahrenheit equivalents.
| Celsius | Fahrenheit | Context |
|---|---|---|
| -20°C | -4°F | Very cold winter |
| 0°C | 32°F | Water freezes |
| 10°C | 50°F | Cool day |
| 15°C | 59°F | Spring weather |
| 20°C | 68°F | Comfortable |
| 25°C | 77°F | Warm summer |
| 37°C | 98.6°F | Body temperature |
| 40°C | 104°F | Heatwave / high fever |
| 100°C | 212°F | Water boils |
| 180°C | 356°F | Baking (≈350°F) |
Celsius to Fahrenheit is essential for anyone from a metric country living in or visiting the United States. The US is the only major country that uses Fahrenheit for everyday weather, appliance temperatures, and medical readings — which means every immigrant, expat, international student, and visitor must learn to interpret Fahrenheit from a Celsius baseline. American weather apps, TV forecasts, thermostats, ovens, and medical thermometers all display Fahrenheit. A European cooking a recipe on a US oven encounters Fahrenheit immediately. International medical records show Celsius; US healthcare providers need Fahrenheit equivalents. Anyone relocating to the US needs to internalize key Fahrenheit benchmarks — 32°F = freezing, 72°F = comfortable room, 98.6°F = healthy body, 350°F = baking — which requires converting from familiar Celsius references.
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. Multiply the Celsius value by 9/5 (or 1.8), then add 32.
37°C = (37 × 9/5) + 32 = 66.6 + 32 = 98.6°F. This is normal human body temperature.
100°C = (100 × 9/5) + 32 = 180 + 32 = 212°F. This is the boiling point of water at sea level.
0°C = (0 × 9/5) + 32 = 32°F. This is the freezing point of water.
A common rough estimate: multiply by 2 and add 30. For example, 20°C ≈ 40 + 30 = 70°F (actual: 68°F). For more precision, use the full formula: °F = (°C × 1.8) + 32.
For all temperature conversions, see the full Temperature Converter.