72 degrees Fahrenheit equals approximately 295.372 kelvin.
To convert 72°F to kelvin, first convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, then add 273.15 to get kelvin. This two-step process accounts for the different zero points and scales of Fahrenheit and kelvin temperature units.
Conversion Tool
Result in kelvin:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert Fahrenheit (°F) to kelvin (K) combines converting Fahrenheit to Celsius, then Celsius to kelvin:
K = (°F – 32) × 5/9 + 273.15
First, subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value. This adjusts for the freezing point difference between the two scales. Then multiply the result by 5/9 to convert the temperature difference into Celsius scale units. Finally, add 273.15 to shift the Celsius temperature to the kelvin scale, which starts at absolute zero.
Example: Convert 72°F to kelvin:
- Subtract 32: 72 – 32 = 40
- Multiply by 5/9: 40 × 5/9 ≈ 22.2222
- Add 273.15: 22.2222 + 273.15 = 295.3722 K
Conversion Example
- Convert 50°F to kelvin:
- 50 – 32 = 18
- 18 × 5/9 = 10
- 10 + 273.15 = 283.15 K
- Convert 100°F to kelvin:
- 100 – 32 = 68
- 68 × 5/9 ≈ 37.7778
- 37.7778 + 273.15 ≈ 310.9278 K
- Convert 32°F to kelvin:
- 32 – 32 = 0
- 0 × 5/9 = 0
- 0 + 273.15 = 273.15 K
- Convert 0°F to kelvin:
- 0 – 32 = -32
- -32 × 5/9 ≈ -17.7778
- -17.7778 + 273.15 ≈ 255.3722 K
Conversion Chart
| Fahrenheit (°F) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|
| 47.0 | 279.817 |
| 52.0 | 282.039 |
| 57.0 | 284.260 |
| 62.0 | 286.482 |
| 67.0 | 288.704 |
| 72.0 | 290.926 |
| 77.0 | 293.148 |
| 82.0 | 295.370 |
| 87.0 | 297.592 |
| 92.0 | 299.814 |
| 97.0 | 302.036 |
The chart shows Fahrenheit values in the left column, and their equivalent kelvin values on the right. To find a kelvin temperature, locate the Fahrenheit value and read across the row. This table cover a range around 72°F, helpful for quick reference without calculation.
Related Conversion Questions
- What is 72°F in kelvin unit?
- How do I convert 72 degrees Fahrenheit to kelvin?
- What kelvin temperature corresponds to 72°F?
- Is 72°F closer to 295 K or 300 K?
- What formula is used for 72°F to kelvin conversion?
- How many kelvins equal 72 degrees Fahrenheit?
- Can you show the step-by-step for 72°F into kelvin?
Conversion Definitions
Fahrenheit: Fahrenheit is a temperature scale based on 180 degrees between the freezing and boiling points of water, set at 32°F and 212°F respectively. It is mainly used in the United States and some Caribbean countries for everyday temperature measurement including weather and cooking.
Kelvin: Kelvin is the SI unit of thermodynamic temperature, starting at absolute zero where all molecular motion ceases. Unlike Celsius or Fahrenheit, kelvin does not use degrees and is commonly used in science and engineering to measure extremely cold or hot temperatures precisely.
Conversion FAQs
Why do I subtract 32 in the Fahrenheit to kelvin formula?
Subtracting 32 adjusts the Fahrenheit temperature to its equivalent value relative to the freezing point of water. Fahrenheit scale starts at 32°F for freezing, so taking 32 away aligns the number with Celsius scale where freezing is 0. This step is necessary before converting to Celsius or kelvin.
Can I convert Fahrenheit directly to kelvin without Celsius?
The formula combines conversion to Celsius implicitly, but you do not need to perform separate steps. The formula (°F – 32) × 5/9 + 273.15 converts Fahrenheit directly to kelvin in one expression, avoiding intermediate Celsius calculations.
Why is 273.15 added when converting to kelvin?
273.15 shifts the temperature scale from Celsius to kelvin. Since kelvin starts at absolute zero (-273.15°C), adding this value moves the zero point of Celsius to zero kelvin, allowing absolute temperature measurements needed in scientific contexts.
Is kelvin used outside scientific fields?
Kelvin is mainly reserved for scientific and engineering work where absolute temperature measurements are required. In everyday life, Celsius or Fahrenheit are preferred because they relate to human experience, like weather or body temperature. But kelvin provides a universal scale important for physics.
How accurate is the conversion from Fahrenheit to kelvin?
The conversion formula is exact mathematically, but real-world measurements depend on instrument precision. The formula uses fixed constants (32, 5/9, 273.15) so the conversion itself doesn’t introduce error, but thermometer accuracy can vary the actual temperature recorded.