120 degrees Fahrenheit is equal to 48.8889 degrees Celsius.
Table of Contents
The conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius involves subtracting 32 from the Fahrenheit value, then multiplying the result by five-ninths. This calculation transforms the temperature based on the difference in scale between the two units.
Conversion Tool
Result in celcius:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert Fahrenheit (f) to Celsius (celcius) is:
C = (F – 32) × 5/9
This formula works by first adjusting the Fahrenheit temperature to a scale that starts at the freezing point of water (32°F). Subtracting 32 removes this offset. Then, multiplying by 5/9 converts the remaining temperature difference into Celsius degrees, since one Celsius degree equals 9/5 Fahrenheit degrees.
Example: Convert 120°F to Celsius step-by-step:
- Subtract 32: 120 – 32 = 88
- Multiply by 5/9: 88 × 5/9 = 48.8889
- Result is approximately 48.8889°C
Conversion Example
- Convert 100°F to Celsius:
- Subtract 32: 100 – 32 = 68
- Multiply by 5/9: 68 × 5/9 = 37.7778
- Result: 37.7778°C
- Convert 85°F to Celsius:
- Subtract 32: 85 – 32 = 53
- Multiply by 5/9: 53 × 5/9 ≈ 29.4444
- Result: 29.4444°C
- Convert 140°F to Celsius:
- Subtract 32: 140 – 32 = 108
- Multiply by 5/9: 108 × 5/9 = 60
- Result: 60°C
- Convert 75°F to Celsius:
- Subtract 32: 75 – 32 = 43
- Multiply by 5/9: 43 × 5/9 ≈ 23.8889
- Result: 23.8889°C
Conversion Chart
| Fahrenheit (°F) | Celcius (°C) |
|---|---|
| 95.0 | 35.0000 |
| 100.0 | 37.7778 |
| 105.0 | 40.5556 |
| 110.0 | 43.3333 |
| 115.0 | 46.1111 |
| 120.0 | 48.8889 |
| 125.0 | 51.6667 |
| 130.0 | 54.4444 |
| 135.0 | 57.2222 |
| 140.0 | 60.0000 |
| 145.0 | 62.7778 |
The chart lets you find Celsius equivalents quickly for Fahrenheit values between 95 and 145. Read horizontally to match the Fahrenheit value with its Celsius conversion, useful when you want a quick reference without calculation.
Related Conversion Questions
- What is 120°F in Celsius rounded to two decimals?
- How hot is 120 degrees Fahrenheit in Celcius scale?
- Is 120°F close to boiling point in Celsius?
- How do you convert 120°F temperature to Celsius manually?
- What Celsius temperature corresponds to 120 Fahrenheit?
- What is the Celsius equivalent if Fahrenheit reads 120?
- How warm is 120 degrees Fahrenheit in Celcius units?
Conversion Definitions
f (Fahrenheit): Fahrenheit is a temperature scale where water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees under normal atmospheric pressure. It is widely used in the United States and some Caribbean countries for weather forecasts, cooking, and industrial measurements.
celcius (Celsius): Celsius is a temperature scale based on 0 degrees as the freezing point of water and 100 degrees as the boiling point at sea level. It is used worldwide in science, medicine, and everyday life for temperature measurement, except in a few countries.
Conversion FAQs
Why does the formula subtract 32 from Fahrenheit before converting?
Because the Fahrenheit scale starts at 32 for the freezing point of water, subtracting 32 aligns the temperature with the Celsius scale which starts at zero. Without this subtraction, the conversion would be inaccurate, since the scales have different zero points.
Can this conversion formula be used for negative Fahrenheit values?
Yes, the same formula applies to negative Fahrenheit temperatures. The subtraction and multiplication account for the scale difference regardless of whether the temperature is above or below freezing.
Why is the multiplication factor 5/9 used in the formula?
The factor 5/9 converts the Fahrenheit degree difference into Celsius degrees because each Celsius degree is larger. Specifically, 1 Celsius degree equals 9/5 Fahrenheit degrees, so multiplying by 5/9 reverses that scaling.
Is the converted Celsius value always exact?
The conversion gives a mathematically exact value, but when expressing in practical terms, rounding to a few decimals is common. Rounding errors may occur depending on the number of decimal places used.
Can I convert Celsius back to Fahrenheit using a similar method?
Yes, converting Celsius to Fahrenheit uses a related formula: F = C × 9/5 + 32. This reverses the scaling and offset applied in the Fahrenheit to Celsius formula.