20 Celsius equals 293.15 Kelvin.
To convert Celsius temperature to Kelvin, you add 273.15 to the Celsius value. So, starting with 20 degrees Celsius, adding 273.15 gives the temperature in Kelvin as 293.15.
Conversion Tool
Result in kelvin:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert Celsius (°C) to Kelvin (K) is:
K = °C + 273.15
This works because the Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15°C. Adding 273.15 shifts the Celsius temperature to its equivalent value on the Kelvin scale. For example, if you have 20°C:
- Start with 20 (the Celsius temperature)
- Add 273.15 to it
- 20 + 273.15 = 293.15 Kelvin
Conversion Example
- Convert 10°C to Kelvin:
- Take 10 (°C)
- Add 273.15
- 10 + 273.15 = 283.15 K
- Convert -5°C to Kelvin:
- Start with -5 (°C)
- Add 273.15
- -5 + 273.15 = 268.15 K
- Convert 37°C to Kelvin:
- Begin with 37 (°C)
- Add 273.15
- 37 + 273.15 = 310.15 K
- Convert 0°C to Kelvin:
- Use 0 (°C)
- Add 273.15
- 0 + 273.15 = 273.15 K
Conversion Chart
| Celsius (°C) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|
| -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 |
| 30.0 | 303.15 |
| 35.0 | 308.15 |
| 40.0 | 313.15 |
| 45.0 | 318.15 |
This chart helps you quickly find the Kelvin equivalent of Celsius values from -5.0 to 45.0. Locate the Celsius temperature in the left column, then read across to see the corresponding Kelvin value in the right column.
Related Conversion Questions
- What is 20 degrees Celsius in Kelvin scale?
- How do you convert 20°C to K without a calculator?
- Why does adding 273.15 convert Celsius to Kelvin?
- Can 20 Celsius ever be negative in Kelvin?
- What is the Kelvin temperature for 20 degrees Celsius in scientific notation?
- Is 20°C warmer than 293 Kelvin?
- How do temperature conversions differ between Celsius and Kelvin at 20 degrees?
Conversion Definitions
Celsius: Celsius is a temperature scale where 0 degrees marks the freezing point of water and 100 degrees is the boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure. It’s commonly used in weather reports and scientific measurements around the world.
Kelvin: Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale used in science, starting at absolute zero—the point where particles have minimum thermal motion. It uses the same increment size as Celsius but begins at -273.15°C, so no negative values exist in Kelvin.
Conversion FAQs
Why can’t Celsius temperatures below zero be negative in Kelvin?
Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15°C, the lowest possible temperature where molecular motion stops. Because Kelvin shifts Celsius by 273.15, any Celsius value below zero becomes a positive Kelvin number. So negative Kelvin values are impossible.
Is the conversion formula always adding 273.15 correct?
Yes, adding 273.15 to Celsius is the standard for converting to Kelvin. This offset exists because Kelvin’s zero point equals -273.15 Celsius. The increment sizes between the two scales are the same, so only a constant is added.
Can I use this conversion for temperatures in everyday weather?
While Kelvin is mostly used in scientific contexts, you can convert everyday temperatures from Celsius to Kelvin with the same formula. But for weather, Celsius or Fahrenheit are more practical for day-to-day use.
What happens if I convert Celsius temperatures with decimal points?
Decimal Celsius values convert the same way by adding 273.15. The Kelvin result will also include decimals, giving a precise temperature measurement—for example, 20.5°C equals 293.65 K.
Is the Kelvin scale used internationally?
Yes, Kelvin is the SI base unit for temperature and used internationally in science and engineering. It standardizes temperature measurements regardless of location or conditions, unlike Celsius which is more common in everyday life.