Kelvin to Celsius Converter

Convert K to °C when a dataset, sensor log or datasheet reports temperature in kelvin and you need a familiar number.

°C = K − 273.15

Kelvin

Result will appear here...

Reading Kelvin Values in Data Files

Climate and weather datasets usually store air temperature in kelvin. The CF metadata conventions used by most NetCDF files list kelvin as the canonical unit. A value such as 288.15 in a temperature column isn't a broken reading. It's 15°C.

One value

288.15 − 273.15 = 15°C

A whole column

Spreadsheet: =A2-273.15

Python (pandas): df["temp_c"] = df["temp_k"] - 273.15

Results usually end in .85 or .15 because of the 273.15 offset: 300 K is 26.85°C. Subtracting 273 instead is a quick estimate that comes out 0.15°C too high.

Kelvin to Celsius Table

Round kelvin readings and the kelvin values of familiar Celsius temperatures.

Kelvin temperatures converted to Celsius
K	°C
0 K	-273.15°C
100 K	-173.15°C
200 K	-73.15°C
233.15 K	-40°C
250 K	-23.15°C
260 K	-13.15°C
273.15 K	0°C
280 K	6.85°C
288.15 K	15°C
293.15 K	20°C
300 K	26.85°C
310.15 K	37°C
350 K	76.85°C
373.15 K	100°C
398.15 K	125°C
500 K	226.85°C

Electronics Temperature Ratings in Kelvin

Component datasheets usually give operating ranges in °C, but simulation tools and physics-based reliability models often work in kelvin. These are the standard grades both ways.

Electronic component temperature grades in Celsius and kelvin
Grade	°C range	K range
Commercial	0 to 70°C	273.15 to 343.15 K
Industrial	-40 to 85°C	233.15 to 358.15 K
Automotive (AEC-Q100 Grade 1)	-40 to 125°C	233.15 to 398.15 K

Light Bulb "K" Is Not a Temperature Reading

A bulb labelled 2,700 K isn't 2,427°C. Color temperature describes the color of the light by comparing it with an ideal glowing object at that temperature. An LED rated 6,500 K stays cool to the touch. Don't convert these values. Use them to compare how warm or cool the light looks:

Common lamp color temperatures and how they look
Color temperature	Appearance
2,700 K	Warm white, similar to a traditional incandescent bulb
3,000 K	Soft white
4,000 K	Neutral or cool white, common in offices
5,000–6,500 K	Daylight

Frequently asked questions

Why is my Celsius result negative?

Any kelvin reading below 273.15 K is below freezing, so it becomes a negative Celsius value. 260 K is −13.15°C. That's normal. Only the kelvin value can never be negative.

Is the offset 273.15 or 273.16?

273.15. The 273.16 K figure is the triple point of water, which defined the kelvin until 2019. Using it as the conversion offset is a common mistake.

What is 0 K in Celsius?

−273.15°C, absolute zero. The converter rejects negative kelvin inputs because nothing can be colder.

Sources

BIPM, The International System of Units (SI Brochure): the kelvin and Celsius temperature.
CF Metadata Conventions: temperature units in climate and forecast datasets.

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