1 kelvin (K) is equal to -457.87 degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
The kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, where all molecular motion stops. To convert kelvin to Fahrenheit, you subtract 273.15 to get Celsius, then convert Celsius to Fahrenheit using the formula F = C × 9/5 + 32. This two-step process gives the precise Fahrenheit equivalent.
Conversion Tool
Result in fahrenheit:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert kelvin (K) to fahrenheit (°F) involves two steps. First, subtract 273.15 from the kelvin value to convert it to degrees Celsius (°C). Next, multiply the Celsius value by 9/5 and add 32 to convert it to Fahrenheit.
Formula:
°F = (K – 273.15) × 9/5 + 32
This formula works because the kelvin scale starts at absolute zero (-273.15°C), while Fahrenheit scale uses a different zero point and scale increment. Converting to Celsius aligns the scales, then converting Celsius to Fahrenheit adjusts for the different unit size and zero point.
Example: Convert 1 K to Fahrenheit.
Step 1: 1 – 273.15 = -272.15°C
Step 2: (-272.15) × 9/5 = -489.87
Step 3: -489.87 + 32 = -457.87°F
Conversion Example
- Convert 100 K to Fahrenheit:
- Subtract 273.15: 100 – 273.15 = -173.15°C
- Multiply by 9/5: -173.15 × 9/5 = -311.67
- Add 32: -311.67 + 32 = -279.67°F
- Convert 300 K to Fahrenheit:
- Subtract 273.15: 300 – 273.15 = 26.85°C
- Multiply by 9/5: 26.85 × 9/5 = 48.33
- Add 32: 48.33 + 32 = 80.33°F
- Convert 0 K to Fahrenheit:
- Subtract 273.15: 0 – 273.15 = -273.15°C
- Multiply by 9/5: -273.15 × 9/5 = -459.67
- Add 32: -459.67 + 32 = -427.67°F (Note: This is incorrect, absolute zero in Fahrenheit is -459.67°F, the addition of 32 is part of formula, but absolute zero remains -459.67°F, so actual formula yields -459.67°F here)
- Convert 500 K to Fahrenheit:
- Subtract 273.15: 500 – 273.15 = 226.85°C
- Multiply by 9/5: 226.85 × 9/5 = 408.33
- Add 32: 408.33 + 32 = 440.33°F
Conversion Chart
| Kelvin (K) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -411.67 |
| -20.0 | -399.67 |
| -16.0 | -387.67 |
| -12.0 | -375.67 |
| -8.0 | -363.67 |
| -4.0 | -351.67 |
| 0.0 | -339.67 |
| 4.0 | -327.67 |
| 8.0 | -315.67 |
| 12.0 | -303.67 |
| 16.0 | -291.67 |
| 20.0 | -279.67 |
| 24.0 | -267.67 |
| 26.0 | -261.67 |
The chart shows kelvin values in the left column and their respective Fahrenheit equivalents on the right. You can find the temperature in kelvin and read across to see the corresponding Fahrenheit value. Negative kelvin values are physically impossible but included here for reference.
Related Conversion Questions
- What is 1 kelvin equal to in fahrenheit degrees?
- How do you convert 1 K to °F without a calculator?
- Why does 1 kelvin convert to a negative fahrenheit value?
- Is 1 kelvin colder than zero degrees fahrenheit?
- What’s the difference between 1 K and 1 °F in temperature scales?
- How accurate is the formula converting 1 kelvin to fahrenheit?
- Can I convert 1 kelvin directly to fahrenheit or do I need an intermediate step?
Conversion Definitions
Kelvin (K): Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale used in science, starting at absolute zero where molecular motion stops. It does not use degrees and is mainly used for temperature measurement in physics and engineering, with zero kelvin representing the coldest possible temperature.
Fahrenheit (°F): Fahrenheit is a temperature scale commonly used in the United States, where water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F. It divides the temperature range between freezing and boiling of water into 180 equal parts, creating a different scale from Celsius and kelvin.
Conversion FAQs
Why is 1 kelvin a negative number in fahrenheit?
Since kelvin starts at absolute zero (0 K), which equals -459.67°F, any temperature below 273.15 K corresponds to negative fahrenheit values. Because 1 K is much less than 273.15, its conversion results in a negative Fahrenheit temperature.
Can I convert kelvin directly to fahrenheit without converting to Celsius first?
Yes, the formula (K – 273.15) × 9/5 + 32 combines both steps into one calculation, so you don’t need to convert to Celsius separately. This formula applies the scaling and offset differences between kelvin and Fahrenheit directly.
Is 1 kelvin a realistic temperature on Earth?
No, 1 kelvin is extremely cold, close to absolute zero, far colder than any natural temperature found on Earth. Typical temperatures on Earth range well above 200 K, so 1 K is used mainly in scientific contexts like cryogenics.
Does the conversion formula change for negative kelvin values?
Negative kelvin values are not physically meaningful because kelvin starts at absolute zero. However, mathematically, the formula still applies but results in nonsensical temperatures since temperatures below absolute zero don’t exist in classical physics.
How precise is the conversion from kelvin to fahrenheit?
The formula uses exact constants for offsets and scaling, so the conversion is precise within the limits of decimal rounding. For scientific work, more decimal places can be used, but the common formula provides accurate results for most applications.