Unit converter

Fahrenheit to Celsius (°F to °C)

To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 and then multiply by 5/9. So 98.6 °F is 37 °C and 350 °F is 176.7 °C. The two scales cross at −40, where both read the same number. Enter a temperature in either box.

Convert °F to °C

°F to °C

98.6 °F = 37 °C

Formula: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9. The scales meet at −40°.

Show the math

°C = (°F − 32) × 5/9

Uses exact legal definitions; results are rounded to 6 significant figures for display.

How to convert °F to °C

°C = (°F − 32) × 5/9

Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value, then multiply by 5/9 (about 0.5556).

Worked example: converting 98.6 °F:

98.6 °F − 32 = 66.6
66.6 × 5/9 = 37 °C

°F to °C conversion table

Common values, each computed with the exact formula and rounded to 6 significant figures.

Degrees Fahrenheit (°F) to Degrees Celsius (°C)
Degrees Fahrenheit (°F)	Degrees Celsius (°C)
-40 °F	-40 °C
-20 °F	-28.8889 °C
-10 °F	-23.3333 °C
0 °F	-17.7778 °C
10 °F	-12.2222 °C
20 °F	-6.66667 °C
32 °F	0 °C
40 °F	4.44444 °C
50 °F	10 °C
60 °F	15.5556 °C
65 °F	18.3333 °C
68 °F	20 °C
70 °F	21.1111 °C
72 °F	22.2222 °C
75 °F	23.8889 °C
80 °F	26.6667 °C
85 °F	29.4444 °C
90 °F	32.2222 °C
95 °F	35 °C
98.6 °F	37 °C
100 °F	37.7778 °C
100.4 °F	38 °C
104 °F	40 °C
110 °F	43.3333 °C
120 °F	48.8889 °C
145 °F	62.7778 °C
160 °F	71.1111 °C
165 °F	73.8889 °C
180 °F	82.2222 °C
200 °F	93.3333 °C
212 °F	100 °C
225 °F	107.222 °C
250 °F	121.111 °C
275 °F	135 °C
300 °F	148.889 °C
325 °F	162.778 °C
350 °F	176.667 °C
375 °F	190.556 °C
400 °F	204.444 °C
425 °F	218.333 °C
450 °F	232.222 °C
475 °F	246.111 °C
500 °F	260 °C

Quick reference: everyday degrees Fahrenheit in degrees Celsius

Water freezes (at sea level)
32 °F = 0 °C
Comfortable room temperature
70 °F = 21.1111 °C
Traditional normal body temperature
98.6 °F = 37 °C
Common fever threshold
100.4 °F = 38 °C
Water boils (at sea level)
212 °F = 100 °C
Typical baking temperature
350 °F = 176.667 °C

Oven temperatures: °F to °C for recipes

US recipes give oven settings in Fahrenheit in steps of 25 °F. Metric recipes round to the nearest 10 °C, so the pairs you see printed are approximations. For example, 350 °F is really 176.7 °C but is usually given as 180 °C, 400 °F (204.4 °C) becomes 200 °C, and 425 °F (218.3 °C) becomes 220 °C.

Those few degrees rarely matter for roasting, but they can change bake times for cakes and bread. Also check whether a metric recipe assumes a fan (convection) oven. Fan settings are commonly given about 20 °C lower than conventional ones, which is a different adjustment from the unit conversion itself.

Body temperature, fever and food safety

The traditional normal body temperature of 98.6 °F converts to exactly 37 °C. Clinicians in the US often treat 100.4 °F (38 °C) as the fever threshold. Thermometers sold in different countries read the same body temperature, just on different scales.

USDA safe minimum internal temperatures are published in Fahrenheit: 165 °F (73.9 °C) for poultry, 160 °F (71.1 °C) for ground meat, and 145 °F (62.8 °C) for whole cuts of beef, pork and lamb, followed by a rest. Metric food-safety guides usually round these to whole degrees, so a probe set to 74 °C is aiming for the same poultry target.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a quick way to estimate °F to °C without a calculator?

Subtract 30 and halve the result. For 70 °F that gives 20 °C, against an exact 21.1 °C. The shortcut is exact at 50 °F (10 °C) and drifts the further you go: at 100 °F it says 35 °C instead of 37.8 °C. It's fine for weather, but use the exact formula for cooking or a fever reading.

At what temperature are Fahrenheit and Celsius equal?

At −40. Setting °C equal to (°F − 32) × 5/9 and solving gives −40, so −40 °F and −40 °C describe the same cold. It's the only point where the two scales agree. Above it, the Fahrenheit number is always higher than the Celsius number; below it, the Fahrenheit number is lower.

Why does the formula use 5/9?

Between water's freezing and boiling points there are 180 Fahrenheit degrees (32 to 212) but only 100 Celsius degrees (0 to 100). So one Fahrenheit degree is 100/180, or 5/9, of a Celsius degree. Subtracting 32 first lines up the two freezing points before you rescale.