Celsius to Kelvin

Celsius and Kelvin measure temperature on the same-sized scale, but Kelvin starts at absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature. Because 0 K is equal to -273.15°C, converting from Celsius to Kelvin means adding 273.15 to shift the scale upward without changing the size of the degree. This is why temperature differences are the same in both units, even though the zero points are different.

Use this conversion in physics, chemistry, and engineering whenever a temperature must be written on the absolute scale. It is especially important in gas laws, thermodynamics, and any calculation that requires Kelvin rather than Celsius.

• Using 273 instead of 273.15 when the problem expects an exact conversion
• Subtracting 273.15 instead of adding it
• Forgetting that Kelvin does not use the degree symbol (write K, not °K)