68 degrees Fahrenheit equals approximately 293.15 kelvin.
To convert 68°F to kelvin, you first convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, then add 273.15 to get kelvin. This two-step process accounts for the different zero points and unit sizes between temperature scales.
Conversion Tool
Result in kelvin:
Conversion Formula
To convert a temperature from Fahrenheit (°F) to kelvin (K), you first convert Fahrenheit to Celsius (°C), then convert Celsius to kelvin. The formula is:
K = ((°F − 32) × 5/9) + 273.15
This works because Fahrenheit and Celsius scales differ in zero points and degree sizes. Fahrenheit zero is at −17.78°C and one degree Fahrenheit is 5/9 of a degree Celsius. Kelvin starts at absolute zero, which is −273.15°C.
Example: Convert 68°F to kelvin:
- Subtract 32 from 68: 68 − 32 = 36
- Multiply by 5/9: 36 × 5/9 = 20
- Add 273.15 to get kelvin: 20 + 273.15 = 293.15 K
Conversion Example
- Convert 50°F to kelvin:
- 50 − 32 = 18
- 18 × 5/9 = 10
- 10 + 273.15 = 283.15 K
- Convert 77°F to kelvin:
- 77 − 32 = 45
- 45 × 5/9 = 25
- 25 + 273.15 = 298.15 K
- Convert 32°F to kelvin:
- 32 − 32 = 0
- 0 × 5/9 = 0
- 0 + 273.15 = 273.15 K
- Convert 100°F to kelvin:
- 100 − 32 = 68
- 68 × 5/9 ≈ 37.78
- 37.78 + 273.15 ≈ 310.93 K
Conversion Chart
This chart shows Fahrenheit temperatures from 43.0°F to 93.0°F converted to kelvin values. Use it to quickly find kelvin equivalents without calculation. Match your Fahrenheit temperature and then read across to find kelvin.
| Fahrenheit (°F) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|
| 43.0 | 278.15 |
| 48.0 | 281.48 |
| 53.0 | 284.81 |
| 58.0 | 288.15 |
| 63.0 | 291.48 |
| 68.0 | 293.15 |
| 73.0 | 296.48 |
| 78.0 | 299.81 |
| 83.0 | 303.15 |
| 88.0 | 306.48 |
| 93.0 | 309.81 |
Related Conversion Questions
- How do I convert 68°F to kelvin without a calculator?
- What temperature in kelvin corresponds to 68 degrees Fahrenheit?
- Is 68°F warmer or cooler than room temperature in kelvin?
- Can I convert 68°F directly to kelvin using a simple formula?
- Why do I need to subtract 32 when converting 68°F to kelvin?
- What’s the kelvin equivalent of 68°F in scientific experiments?
- How accurate is converting 68°F to kelvin using approximate values?
Conversion Definitions
Fahrenheit: Fahrenheit is a temperature scale where water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees under standard conditions. It divides the interval between freezing and boiling into 180 parts called degrees. This scale is mostly used in the United States and some Caribbean countries.
Kelvin: Kelvin is the SI unit of temperature based on absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature. It starts at 0 K, where molecular motion nearly stops, and increases in the same increments as Celsius degrees. Kelvin is used widely in science and engineering.
Conversion FAQs
Why do we add 273.15 when converting Fahrenheit to kelvin?
Adding 273.15 shifts the Celsius scale to the kelvin scale, because kelvin starts at absolute zero (−273.15°C). Celsius and kelvin degrees are same size, so adding 273.15 aligns the zero points. This step is necessary after converting Fahrenheit to Celsius.
Can I convert Fahrenheit directly to kelvin without Celsius?
The formula combines both conversions at once by converting Fahrenheit to Celsius first, then Celsius to kelvin. The formula K = ((°F − 32) × 5/9) + 273.15 does it in one step. So, while Celsius is part of the formula, you don’t need to convert explicitly, just use the combined formula.
What happens if I forget to subtract 32 in the conversion?
Forgetting to subtract 32 results in incorrect temperature values because Fahrenheit zero is not the same as Celsius zero. This mistake causes large errors, making the kelvin value too high and unusable. The subtraction is essential to adjust the starting point properly.
Why is the kelvin scale preferred in scientific measurements?
Kelvin is absolute and starts at absolute zero, where particles stop moving, so it provides a universal reference. Unlike Fahrenheit or Celsius, kelvin does not use negative numbers for temperatures above absolute zero, which simplifies calculations in physics and chemistry.
Is the formula accurate for all Fahrenheit values?
The formula applies across all temperature values. However, extreme temperatures far below zero Fahrenheit produce very low kelvin values, which are physically meaningful only in theoretical or scientific contexts, because kelvin cannot be negative.