Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter
Convert °F to °C when you're reading a US recipe, thermostat, weather forecast or food-safety guide and think in Celsius.
°C = (°F − 32) × 5/9
Fahrenheit to Celsius Chart
Every 10°F from 0°F to 220°F, plus common sub-zero readings. Each 10°F step is 5.56°C. Values are rounded to 1 decimal place.
| °F | °C |
|---|---|
| -40°F | -40°C |
| -20°F | -28.9°C |
| -10°F | -23.3°C |
| 0°F | -17.8°C |
| 10°F | -12.2°C |
| 20°F | -6.7°C |
| 30°F | -1.1°C |
| 40°F | 4.4°C |
| 50°F | 10°C |
| 60°F | 15.6°C |
| 70°F | 21.1°C |
| 80°F | 26.7°C |
| 90°F | 32.2°C |
| 100°F | 37.8°C |
| 110°F | 43.3°C |
| 120°F | 48.9°C |
| 130°F | 54.4°C |
| 140°F | 60°C |
| 150°F | 65.6°C |
| 160°F | 71.1°C |
| 170°F | 76.7°C |
| 180°F | 82.2°C |
| 190°F | 87.8°C |
| 200°F | 93.3°C |
| 210°F | 98.9°C |
| 220°F | 104.4°C |
Formula: Subtract 32 First
Fahrenheit puts water's freezing point at 32 rather than 0, and its degrees are smaller: 9 Fahrenheit degrees span the same range as 5 Celsius degrees. So you first remove the 32-degree offset, then shrink the result by 5/9.
The two forms are identical. Use 5/9 for working by hand and ÷ 1.8 on a calculator. Avoid multiplying by a rounded 0.556, which drifts by about 0.04°C for every 100°F.
Quick Estimate: Subtract 30, Then Halve
For weather, "subtract 30 and halve" is close enough: 70°F → 40 → 20°C (exact: 21.1°C). It's exact at 50°F and drifts by just under 0.3°C for every 5°F away from that. Here's how far off it gets:
| °F | Estimate | Exact | Error |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0°F | -15°C | -17.8°C | 2.8°C |
| 32°F | 1°C | 0°C | 1°C |
| 50°F | 10°C | 10°C | 0°C |
| 70°F | 20°C | 21.1°C | -1.1°C |
| 90°F | 30°C | 32.2°C | -2.2°C |
| 100°F | 35°C | 37.8°C | -2.8°C |
Worked Example: A 72°F Thermostat
An American host says the house is kept at 72°F. In Celsius:
Step 1: Remove the offset
Step 2: Scale by 5/9
22.2°C, a typical comfortable indoor temperature.
US Thermostat Settings in Celsius
| °F | °C | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| 68°F | 20°C | Recommended winter setting while you are awake (US DOE) |
| 72°F | 22.2°C | A common year-round comfort setting |
| 78°F | 25.6°C | Recommended summer setting while you are home (US DOE) |
Food Safety Temperatures in Celsius
US food-safety guidance is published in Fahrenheit. These are the key thresholds converted for a Celsius thermometer. Round up rather than down when cooking.
| °F | °C | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 0°F | -17.8°C | Freezer |
| 40°F | 4.4°C | Refrigerator, at or below |
| 140°F | 60°C | Top of the "danger zone" (40–140°F) where bacteria multiply fastest |
| 145°F | 62.8°C | Beef, pork, veal and lamb steaks, chops and roasts (then rest 3 minutes) |
| 160°F | 71.1°C | Ground meats such as burgers |
| 165°F | 73.9°C | All poultry, and leftovers when reheated |
Frequently asked questions
Is 70°F hot or cold?
70°F is 21.1°C: mild and comfortable, about room temperature. Most people find 80°F (26.7°C) warm and 90°F (32.2°C) hot.
What is 0°F in Celsius?
−17.8°C. Daniel Fahrenheit originally set 0 at the coldest mixture he could reliably make in the lab, a blend of ice, water and ammonium chloride, so 0°F is well below water's freezing point.
Why is freezing 32°F instead of 0?
Because Fahrenheit's zero was set by that brine mixture, not by pure water. On his scale, pure water ended up freezing at 32 and boiling at 212, 180 degrees apart.
How do I convert a temperature difference from °F to °C?
Multiply by 5/9 and skip the 32. A recipe that says to lower the oven by 25°F means lowering it by about 14°C.
Sources
- NIST Special Publication 811, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI): Fahrenheit and Celsius conversion formulas.
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures: cooking temperatures.
- US Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Programmable Thermostats: recommended thermostat settings.
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