1 degree Celsius is equal to 274.15 kelvin.
When converting from degree Celsius to kelvin, you add 273.15 to the Celsius value. This shifts the scale to start at absolute zero, which is 0 K, instead of the freezing point of water at 0 °C.
Conversion Tool
Result in kelvin:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert degree Celsius to kelvin is:
K = °C + 273.15
This formula works because kelvin is an absolute temperature scale starting at absolute zero, where -273.15 °C equals 0 K. By adding 273.15, you shift the Celsius scale so that 0 K represents the lowest possible temperature.
For example, converting 1 °C to kelvin:
- Start with 1 °C
- Add 273.15: 1 + 273.15 = 274.15 K
Conversion Example
- Convert 5 °C to kelvin:
- Take 5 °C
- Add 273.15 to 5: 5 + 273.15 = 278.15 K
- Convert -10 °C to kelvin:
- Start with -10 °C
- Add 273.15: -10 + 273.15 = 263.15 K
- Convert 20.5 °C to kelvin:
- Take 20.5 °C
- Adding 273.15: 20.5 + 273.15 = 293.65 K
- Convert -273.15 °C to kelvin:
- This is the absolute zero in Celsius
- Adding 273.15: -273.15 + 273.15 = 0 K
Conversion Chart
| Degree (°C) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | 249.15 |
| -20.0 | 253.15 |
| -15.0 | 258.15 |
| -10.0 | 263.15 |
| -5.0 | 268.15 |
| 0.0 | 273.15 |
| 5.0 | 278.15 |
| 10.0 | 283.15 |
| 15.0 | 288.15 |
| 20.0 | 293.15 |
| 25.0 | 298.15 |
| 26.0 | 299.15 |
The chart shows corresponding kelvin values for degree Celsius temperatures between -24.0 and 26.0. You can find the Celsius temperature on the left and read across to see the kelvin equivalent. This helps quick reference without calculation.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many kelvin is 1 degree Celsius?
- What is the kelvin equivalent of 1 degree on the Celsius scale?
- Is 1 degree Celsius more than 274 kelvin?
- How do I convert 1 degree Celsius temperature to kelvin?
- What’s the formula to change 1 degree Celsius into kelvin?
- Does 1 degree Celsius equal 274 kelvin exactly?
- What kelvin value corresponds to 1 degree Celsius temperature?
Conversion Definitions
Degree: In temperature measurement, a degree Celsius is a unit of temperature on the Celsius scale, where 0 °C is the freezing point of water and 100 °C is the boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure. It quantifies thermal energy relative to this scale.
Kelvin: Kelvin is the SI unit for temperature, starting at absolute zero, where all molecular motion ceases. One kelvin is the same size as one degree Celsius, but the scale begins at 0 K, which equals -273.15 °C, making it an absolute thermodynamic temperature scale.
Conversion FAQs
Why do we add 273.15 when converting Celsius to kelvin?
Because the kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, the lowest temperature possible, which is -273.15 °C. To convert a Celsius temperature to kelvin, you shift the scale by adding 273.15 so that 0 K aligns with absolute zero.
Can kelvin temperature be negative?
No, kelvin temperatures cannot be negative. The kelvin scale starts at absolute zero (0 K), so all kelvin values are zero or positive. Negative temperatures only exist on relative scales like Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Is 1 degree Celsius equal to 274 kelvin exactly?
Not exactly. 1 degree Celsius equals 274.15 kelvin when converted precisely using the formula K = °C + 273.15. The extra 0.15 is important for accuracy, so rounding to 274 is an approximation.
Does the size of one kelvin equal one degree Celsius?
Yes, one kelvin is the same size as one degree Celsius in terms of temperature increment. The difference between 0 °C and 1 °C is equal to the difference between 0 K and 1 K, but their zero points are offset.
What happens if I convert negative degrees Celsius to kelvin?
When converting negative Celsius values, you still add 273.15. For example, -10 °C becomes 263.15 K. Values below -273.15 °C cannot be converted because absolute zero is the lowest limit.