Celsius to Fahrenheit Guide: Temperature Conversion Explained
Understanding temperature conversion between Celsius and Fahrenheit is essential for travel, cooking, and understanding weather reports from different countries. This guide explains the formulas, provides handy charts, and offers tips for quick mental conversions.
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The Conversion Formulas
Fahrenheit to Celsius: °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9
Quick Reference Chart
| Celsius | Fahrenheit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| -40°C | -40°F | Where scales meet |
| -18°C | 0°F | Very cold |
| 0°C | 32°F | Freezing point of water |
| 10°C | 50°F | Cool weather |
| 20°C | 68°F | Room temperature |
| 25°C | 77°F | Warm day |
| 30°C | 86°F | Hot day |
| 37°C | 98.6°F | Body temperature |
| 100°C | 212°F | Boiling point of water |
Mental Math Tricks
Quick Celsius to Fahrenheit
Double the Celsius, subtract 10%, add 32:
- 20°C: (20 × 2) = 40, minus 4 = 36, plus 32 = 68°F
- Or simply: Double it and add 30 for a rough estimate
Common Uses in the UK
The UK officially uses Celsius, but Fahrenheit still appears in some contexts:
- Weather forecasts: Always Celsius
- Oven temperatures: Often show both (plus Gas Mark)
- Pool/spa temperatures: Sometimes Fahrenheit
- Older generation: May still think in Fahrenheit
Cooking Temperatures
| Description | Celsius | Fahrenheit | Gas Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very low | 110°C | 225°F | ¼ |
| Low | 140°C | 275°F | 1 |
| Moderate | 180°C | 350°F | 4 |
| Moderately hot | 200°C | 400°F | 6 |
| Hot | 220°C | 425°F | 7 |
| Very hot | 240°C | 475°F | 9 |
Why Two Different Scales?
Fahrenheit was developed by Daniel Fahrenheit in 1724, using a mixture of ice, water, and salt as 0°F and human body temperature as roughly 100°F. Celsius, developed by Anders Celsius in 1742, uses water's freezing point (0°C) and boiling point (100°C) as reference points.
Most of the world uses Celsius, while the United States primarily uses Fahrenheit. The UK switched to Celsius in the 1960s but retains some Fahrenheit usage.
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