20 Celcius to Kelvin – Full Calculation Guide

20 Celsius is equal to 293.15 Kelvin.

To convert Celsius to Kelvin, you add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature. This is because Kelvin starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15°C, so by shifting the Celsius scale up by 273.15, you get the temperature in Kelvin.

Conversion Tool


Result in kelvin:

Conversion Formula

The formula to convert Celsius (°C) to Kelvin (K) is:

K = °C + 273.15

This formula works because the Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15 degrees Celsius. So to get the Kelvin temperature, you simply add 273.15 to the Celsius value. For example, if you have 20°C:

  • Start with 20°C
  • Add 273.15 to it: 20 + 273.15 = 293.15
  • The result is 293.15 K

This way, the Kelvin scale never has negative numbers, as it measures temperature from absolute zero upward.

Conversion Example

  • Convert 5°C to Kelvin:
    • Start with 5°C
    • Add 273.15: 5 + 273.15 = 278.15 K
    • Result: 278.15 Kelvin
  • Convert -10°C to Kelvin:
    • Start with -10°C
    • Add 273.15: -10 + 273.15 = 263.15 K
    • Result: 263.15 Kelvin
  • Convert 30°C to Kelvin:
    • Start with 30°C
    • Add 273.15: 30 + 273.15 = 303.15 K
    • Result: 303.15 Kelvin
  • Convert 0°C to Kelvin:
    • Start with 0°C
    • Add 273.15: 0 + 273.15 = 273.15 K
    • Result: 273.15 Kelvin

Conversion Chart

Celsius (°C) Kelvin (K)
-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
30.0 303.15
35.0 308.15
40.0 313.15
45.0 318.15

This chart shows Celsius temperatures from -5.0 to 45.0, along with their equivalent Kelvin values. You can find your Celsius temperature in the left column, and then read across to see the corresponding Kelvin value on the right. This helps when quick reference is needed without calculation.

Related Conversion Questions

  • What is 20 degrees Celsius in Kelvin units?
  • How do I convert 20°C into kelvin temperature scale?
  • Why does 20 Celsius convert to 293.15 Kelvin?
  • Is 20 Celsius equal to 293 Kelvin or 294 Kelvin?
  • How many kelvin corresponds to 20 degrees Celsius?
  • Can I convert 20 Celsius directly to kelvin without a calculator?
  • What formula is used for changing 20°C to kelvin exactly?

Conversion Definitions

Celsius: Celsius, sometimes called centigrade, is a temperature scale where 0 degrees is freezing point of water and 100 degrees is boiling point at sea level. It is widely used for everyday temperature measurement in most countries, except USA where Fahrenheit is common.

Kelvin: Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale that starts at absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature. It uses the same increment size as Celsius but no negative values. It is essential in scientific fields like physics and chemistry for precise temperature measurements.

Conversion FAQs

Can Celsius temperatures be negative in Kelvin?

No, Kelvin scale does not have negative values. All Celsius temperatures minus 273.15 would be negative, so when converting to Kelvin, the scale starts at zero absolute zero. For example, -273.15°C equals 0 K.

Why add 273.15 for converting Celsius to Kelvin?

Because Kelvin’s zero point is absolute zero, which is -273.15 degrees Celsius. Adding 273.15 shifts the Celsius scale to start at zero Kelvin, ensuring no negative temperatures in Kelvin.

Is the conversion factor always 273.15?

Yes, the exact constant 273.15 must be added to Celsius temperature to convert to Kelvin. It accounts for the difference between the zero points of two scales.

Can I convert Kelvin back to Celsius?

Yes, just subtract 273.15 from the Kelvin temperature. For example, 300 K minus 273.15 equals 26.85°C.

Does this conversion apply to all temperatures?

The conversion works for all Celsius temperatures, including negatives, decimals, and high values, since Kelvin scale just shifts Celsius by a fixed amount.