Celsius to Kelvin

Kelvin and Celsius use the same size degree, so changing from one scale to the other does not involve multiplication, only a fixed shift. Absolute zero is defined as 0 K, which is 273.15 degrees below 0°C, so every Celsius temperature is 273.15 higher on the Kelvin scale. This makes Kelvin the standard temperature scale in science because it starts at the lowest possible thermal energy level.

Use this formula whenever a temperature given in Celsius needs to be converted into Kelvin for physics, chemistry, or engineering calculations. It is especially important for gas laws, thermodynamics, and any equation that requires absolute temperature.

• adding 273 instead of 273.15 when precision is required
• using the formula for Kelvin to Celsius without reversing it
• forgetting that Kelvin values should not be written with a degree symbol