Periodic Table

About the Kelvin Scale

The Kelvin scale is a measure of the kinetic energy of a system that assumes a starting value of absolute zero. At absolute zero, a substance would have zero kinetic energy. Because temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of a system, the Kelvin scale is a way of expressing temperature using only positive values. Temperatures expressed in Kelivin do not use a degree symbol because the values are absolute and not relative to the freezing point of water.

Kelvin to Celsius

  • 0 K = -273.15º C
  • Formula: K = °C + 273.15
  • Room Temperature 20ºC = 293.15K

Kelvin to Fahrenheit

  • 0 K = -459.67º F
  • Formula: K = (y °F – 32) x 5/9 + 273.15
  • Room Temperature 68ºF = 293.15K