Converting Fahrenheit to Celsius is easy—just subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value and multiply by 5/9. While Fahrenheit remains common in the U.S., Celsius is the global standard for scientific, medical, and everyday temperature measurement. Understanding both scales and leveraging robust online conversion tools is valuable for anyone working with temperature-based systems.
Fahrenheit to Celsius - How to Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius
The Fahrenheit (°F) scale is commonly used in the United States, while the Celsius (°C) scale is the international standard for temperature measurement. The Fahrenheit system was developed by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in the early 18th century, while the Celsius scale, originally called the centigrade scale, was introduced by Anders Celsius in 1742.
To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, use this formula:
Celsius (°C) = (Fahrenheit - 32) × 5/9
For example, if you want to convert 77°F to Celsius:
(77 - 32) × 5/9 = 25°C
You can verify other values instantly with the online Temperature Converter.
Do you know?
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Water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F, while in Celsius, these values are 0°C and 100°C, respectively.
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The human body temperature is about 98.6°F (37°C), but it can vary slightly from person to person.
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The highest recorded temperature on Earth was 134°F (56.7°C) in Death Valley, California, in 1913.
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The coldest temperature ever recorded was −128.6°F (−89.2°C) at Vostok Station, Antarctica, in 1983.
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Many scientific fields, including meteorology and medicine, use Celsius, while the U.S. primarily sticks with Fahrenheit for daily temperature readings.
The History Behind the Fahrenheit Scale
Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, a German physicist and engineer, developed the Fahrenheit scale. He also invented the mercury-in-glass thermometer, which allowed for more precise temperature readings.
Fahrenheit originally defined 0°F as the coldest temperature he could achieve using a mixture of ice, water, and salt. He set 32°F as the freezing point of water and 96°F as the temperature of the human body, though later adjustments placed it at 98.6°F.
Meanwhile, Anders Celsius, a Swedish astronomer, introduced the Celsius scale in 1742, originally defining 100°C as the freezing point of water and 0°C as the boiling point. The scale was later reversed to match modern standards.