10 kelvin equals -263.15 degrees Celsius.
The kelvin to celsius conversion subtracts 273.15 from the kelvin temperature. Since kelvin is an absolute scale starting at absolute zero, the celsius scale shifts by 273.15 degrees to align with water’s freezing point. Hence, 10 kelvin is well below freezing in celsius terms.
Conversion Tool
Result in celsius:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert kelvin (K) to celsius (°C) is:
°C = K – 273.15
This works because the kelvin scale begins at absolute zero, which is -273.15 degrees celsius. By subtracting 273.15, we shift the kelvin temperature down to the celsius scale.
For example, converting 10 kelvin to celsius step-by-step:
- Start with the kelvin value: 10 K
- Subtract 273.15: 10 – 273.15
- Result: -263.15 °C
Conversion Example
- Convert 50 K to °C:
- 50 – 273.15 = -223.15 °C
- Subtracting 273.15 shifts kelvin to celsius scale
- Convert 0 K to °C:
- 0 – 273.15 = -273.15 °C
- Absolute zero in kelvin equals -273.15 °C
- Convert 300 K to °C:
- 300 – 273.15 = 26.85 °C
- This temperature is close to room temperature
- Convert 150 K to °C:
- 150 – 273.15 = -123.15 °C
- Shows very cold conditions below freezing
Conversion Chart
| Kelvin (K) | Celsius (°C) |
|---|---|
| -15.0 | -288.15 |
| -10.0 | -283.15 |
| -5.0 | -278.15 |
| 0.0 | -273.15 |
| 5.0 | -268.15 |
| 10.0 | -263.15 |
| 15.0 | -258.15 |
| 20.0 | -253.15 |
| 25.0 | -248.15 |
| 30.0 | -243.15 |
| 35.0 | -238.15 |
This chart lists kelvin temperatures from -15 to 35 and their celsius equivalents. Because kelvin can’t be negative in reality, the negative kelvin values here are theoretical or errors, but for the sake of the chart, subtraction applied alike. To use the chart, find the kelvin value and read across to see the corresponding celsius value.
Related Conversion Questions
- How cold is 10 kelvin in degrees celsius?
- What temperature does 10 K equal on the celsius scale?
- Is 10 kelvin below freezing point in celsius?
- How to convert 10 kelvin to celsius manually?
- What does 10 kelvin mean temperature-wise in celsius?
- Why is 10 kelvin so low compared to celsius readings?
- Can 10 kelvin be expressed as a positive celsius number?
Conversion Definitions
Kelvin: Kelvin is the SI unit for temperature measurement. It begins at absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature where molecular motion stops. Unlike celsius or fahrenheit, kelvin does not use degrees, it starts from zero, making it useful for scientific temperature readings.
Celsius: Celsius is a temperature scale based on water’s freezing point at 0 degrees and boiling point at 100 degrees under standard atmospheric pressure. It is widely used in daily weather, cooking, and scientific measurements, providing an easy relative temperature scale.
Conversion FAQs
Why can’t kelvin values be negative?
Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which means zero kelvin is the theoretical lowest temperature possible. Negative kelvin values would imply temperatures below absolute zero, which contradicts physical laws about molecular energy and thermodynamics.
How precise is the subtraction of 273.15 in conversions?
The value 273.15 is chosen to align kelvin with celsius exactly at water’s freezing point. Small variations exist in some scientific contexts, but for most purposes, subtracting 273.15 gives precise enough celsius values from kelvin.
Can I convert kelvin to fahrenheit directly without celsius?
Yes, but it requires a different formula. You can convert kelvin to fahrenheit by first converting kelvin to celsius, then celsius to fahrenheit, or use the formula °F = (K − 273.15) × 9/5 + 32.
What happens if I input negative kelvin in a calculator?
Negative kelvin values are physically meaningless, but calculators will compute by subtracting 273.15 anyway, resulting in even colder celsius values. However, such inputs don’t represent real temperatures.
Is kelvin used outside science?
Kelvin is mainly scientific, for physics and chemistry. Celsius and fahrenheit are more common in daily life. Yet, kelvin is crucial in research and industries dealing with extremely low or high temperatures.