1 degree Celsius equals 274.15 kelvin.
When converting 1 degree Celsius to kelvin, you add 273.15 to the Celsius value because the kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15°C.
Conversion Tool
Result in kelvin:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert degrees Celsius to kelvin is: K = °C + 273.15.
This works because the kelvin temperature scale starts at absolute zero, which is −273.15°C. Celsius and kelvin scales have the same unit size, the difference is just their zero points.
For example, when converting 1°C:
- Take the Celsius value: 1
- Add 273.15 to it: 1 + 273.15
- Result is 274.15 K
Conversion Example
- Convert 5°C to kelvin:
- Start with 5
- Add 273.15 → 5 + 273.15 = 278.15 K
- Convert -10°C to kelvin:
- Start with -10
- Add 273.15 → -10 + 273.15 = 263.15 K
- Convert 20.5°C to kelvin:
- Start with 20.5
- Add 273.15 → 20.5 + 273.15 = 293.65 K
- Convert 0°C to kelvin:
- Start with 0
- Add 273.15 → 0 + 273.15 = 273.15 K
Conversion Chart
| Degree (°C) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | 249.15 |
| -20.0 | 253.15 |
| -15.0 | 258.15 |
| -10.0 | 263.15 |
| -5.0 | 268.15 |
| 0.0 | 273.15 |
| 5.0 | 278.15 |
| 10.0 | 283.15 |
| 15.0 | 288.15 |
| 20.0 | 293.15 |
| 25.0 | 298.15 |
| 26.0 | 299.15 |
This chart shows degrees Celsius values in first column and corresponding kelvin values in second. To use it, find the Celsius temperature you want convert, then look right to find kelvin equivalent. Useful when quick reference needed without calculation.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many kelvin is 1 degree Celsius equal to?
- What is the kelvin temperature of 1°C?
- Convert 1 degree Celsius into kelvin scale?
- Is 1 degree Celsius greater than 273 kelvin?
- How do you convert 1°C to kelvin manually?
- What does 1 degree Celsius become in kelvin units?
- What kelvin value corresponds to 1 degree Celsius?
Conversion Definitions
Degree (Celsius): Degree Celsius (°C) is a unit of temperature measurement based on the freezing point of water at 0°C and boiling point at 100°C under standard atmospheric pressure. It is commonly used worldwide for weather, science, and everyday temperature readings.
Kelvin: Kelvin (K) is the SI base unit of temperature, starting at absolute zero (the lowest possible temperature). It measures thermodynamic temperature, where 0 K means no thermal energy. Kelvin scale increments are identical to degrees Celsius, but shifted by 273.15.
Conversion FAQs
Why do we add 273.15 when converting Celsius to kelvin?
Adding 273.15 shifts the zero point from Celsius scale, which is based on water freezing, to absolute zero, the lowest temperature possible in physics. Without adding this value, the temperature would not correctly represent kelvin’s absolute scale.
Can kelvin values be negative?
No, kelvin cannot be negative because it starts at absolute zero, the point where all molecular motion stops. Negative kelvin would imply temperatures below absolute zero, which is not physically possible.
Is 1 degree Celsius the same as 1 kelvin?
No, 1 degree Celsius is not equal to 1 kelvin. The size of one degree increment is same, but kelvin starts at absolute zero. 1°C equals 274.15 K, not 1 K.
How accurate is the conversion using 273.15?
The value 273.15 is a fixed constant for converting Celsius to kelvin, and the conversion is precise for scientific and everyday use. Minor variations occur only in extremely precise thermodynamic measurements beyond normal conditions.
What happens when converting negative Celsius degrees to kelvin?
Negative Celsius values convert to positive kelvin values by adding 273.15. For example, -10°C converts to 263.15 K, which is above absolute zero and physically meaningful.