How to Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit: Complete Guide

Converting Celsius to Fahrenheit is one of the most common temperature conversions people need. Whether you're traveling to the United States, reading a recipe from an American cookbook, or trying to understand weather reports from different countries, knowing how to convert between these two scales is incredibly useful.

The Formula

The formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit is: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. This means you multiply the Celsius temperature by 9, divide by 5, and then add 32. For example, to convert 25°C to Fahrenheit: (25 × 9/5) + 32 = 77°F.

Quick Mental Math Trick

For a quick approximation, you can double the Celsius value and add 30. This gives you a rough Fahrenheit equivalent that's close enough for everyday use. For example, 20°C × 2 + 30 = 70°F (actual: 68°F). This trick works best in the range of 0-30°C.

Common Temperature Reference Points

Here are some temperatures you'll encounter frequently: - Water freezes: 0°C = 32°F - Room temperature: 20-22°C = 68-72°F - Body temperature: 37°C = 98.6°F - Water boils: 100°C = 212°F - Hot summer day: 35°C = 95°F - Cold winter day: -10°C = 14°F

Why Two Different Scales?

The Celsius scale (also called Centigrade) was developed by Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius in 1742. It's based on the freezing point (0°) and boiling point (100°) of water. The Fahrenheit scale was developed by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724, using different reference points. Today, most of the world uses Celsius, while the United States primarily uses Fahrenheit.

When You Need Exact Conversions

For cooking, scientific work, or medical applications, you'll want exact conversions rather than approximations. Use our free Celsius to Fahrenheit converter for instant, precise results with a full conversion table.