Fahrenheit and Celsius are the scales for reporting room, weather, and water temperatures. The Fahrenheit scale is employed in the U.S., while the Celsius scale is used worldwide.

Indeed, most countries worldwide measure their weather and temperatures using the r Celsius scale. Unfortunately, the U.S. is one of few countries that use Fahrenheit, so Americans need to know how to translate one to the other when traveling or doing scientific research.

Key Takeaways: Fahrenheit to Celsius

• Fahrenheit is the standard temperature scale in the U.S., while Celsius is used worldwide.
• The formula for translating Fahrenheit to Celsius is C = 5/9(F-32).
• Fahrenheit and Celsius are identical at -40°. However, Fahrenheit is a more significant number at ordinary temperatures than Celsius. For instance, body temperature is 98.6 °F or 37 °C.

Converting Temperatures

To begin, you need the formula for transforming Fahrenheit (F) to Celsius (C):

• C = 5/9 x (F-32)

The notation C embodies the temperature in Celsius, and F is the temperature in Fahrenheit. Therefore, after you know the formula, it is simple to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius with these 3 steps.

1. Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature.
2. Multiply this number by five.
3. Divide the result by nine.

For instance, if the temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you need to calculate the temperature in Celsius. Use the 3 steps above:

1. 80 F – 32 = 48
2. 5 x 48 = 240
3. 240 / 9 = 26.7

The temperature in Celsius is 26.7 °C.

Fahrenheit to Celsius Example

If you want to convert an average human body temperature (98.6 °F) to Celsius, add the Fahrenheit temperature into the formula:

• C = 5/9 x (F – 32)

Your starting temperature is 98.6 F. So we would see:

• C = 5/9 x (F – 32)
• C = 5/9 x (98.6 – 32)
• C = 5/9 x (66.6)
• C = 37 C

Check your answer to make sure it makes sense. A Celsius value is always lower than the equivalent Fahrenheit at average temperatures. Also, it’s helpful to remember that the Celsius scale is based on water’s freezing and boiling points, where 0 °C is the freezing point, and 100 °C is the point of boiling. On the Fahrenheit measurement, water freezes at 32 °F and simmers at 212 °F.

Conversion Shortcut

You often don’t need an accurate conversion. If you’re going to Europe, for instance, and you find out that the temperature is 74 °F, you may want to know the estimated temperature in Celsius. Here is a quick tip for making a proper conversion:

Fahrenheit to Celsius: Deduct 30 from the Fahrenheit temperature and divide by 2. Using the approximation formula:

• 74 F – 30 = 44
• 44 / 2 = 22 °C

(If you go through the preceding formula’s calculations for the temperature, you will get at 23.3.)

Celsius to Fahrenheit: To reverse the conversion and convert from 22 °C to Fahrenheit, multiply by two and add 30:

• 22 C x 2 = 44
• 44 + 30 = 74 °C

Quick Conversion Table

You can save time by employing predetermined conversions. For example, the Old Farmer’s Almanac offers this table for conversing from Fahrenheit to Celsius.