17 °C equals 290.15 kelvin. This is the result of converting degrees Celsius to kelvin using a direct and simple formula.
Table of Contents
To get the temperature in kelvin from Celsius, you just add 273.15 to the Celsius value. The kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, so it makes Celsius numbers larger by this fixed amount. For 17 °C, adding 273.15 gives 290.15 K exactly.
Conversion Tool
Result in kelvin:
Conversion Formula
To convert from Celsius (°C) to kelvin (K), the formula you use is:
K = °C + 273.15
This formula works because kelvin is based on the same temperature increments as Celsius, but starts at absolute zero (0 K). Absolute zero is −273.15 °C, which is the lowest temperature possible. So, you add 273.15 to any Celsius temperature, it shifts it up to the kelvin scale.
Step-by-step calculation for 17 °C:
- Start with the Celsius temperature: 17
- Add 273.15 to it: 17 + 273.15 = 290.15
- The answer is 290.15 K
Conversion Example
- Example 1: 5 °C to kelvin
- Begin with 5 °C
- Add 273.15: 5 + 273.15 = 278.15
- Final answer: 278.15 K
- Example 2: -3 °C to kelvin
- Begin with -3 °C
- Add 273.15: -3 + 273.15 = 270.15
- Final answer: 270.15 K
- Example 3: 25 °C to kelvin
- Begin with 25 °C
- Add 273.15: 25 + 273.15 = 298.15
- Final answer: 298.15 K
- Example 4: 0 °C to kelvin
- Begin with 0 °C
- Add 273.15: 0 + 273.15 = 273.15
- Final answer: 273.15 K
Conversion Chart
This chart shows Celsius values from -8.0 to 42.0 and their kelvin equivalents. To read it, find the Celsius value in the left column, then look right to see the kelvin result. Useful when you want to quickly check conversions without doing math every time.
| Celsius (°C) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|
| -8.0 | 265.15 |
| -6.0 | 267.15 |
| -4.0 | 269.15 |
| -2.0 | 271.15 |
| 0.0 | 273.15 |
| 2.0 | 275.15 |
| 4.0 | 277.15 |
| 6.0 | 279.15 |
| 8.0 | 281.15 |
| 10.0 | 283.15 |
| 12.0 | 285.15 |
| 14.0 | 287.15 |
| 16.0 | 289.15 |
| 18.0 | 291.15 |
| 20.0 | 293.15 |
| 22.0 | 295.15 |
| 24.0 | 297.15 |
| 26.0 | 299.15 |
| 28.0 | 301.15 |
| 30.0 | 303.15 |
| 32.0 | 305.15 |
| 34.0 | 307.15 |
| 36.0 | 309.15 |
| 38.0 | 311.15 |
| 40.0 | 313.15 |
| 42.0 | 315.15 |
Related Conversion Questions
- What is 17 degrees Celsius in kelvin for scientific experiments?
- If a temperature is 17°C, how many kelvin is that exactly?
- How do I convert 17 Celsius to kelvin step by step?
- Is there a formula for changing 17°C to kelvin for physics homework?
- Why does 17 degrees Celsius become 290.15 kelvin?
- When using 17ºC in formulas, should I add 273.15 to get kelvin?
- How much is 17 Celsius in kelvin for chemistry calculations?
Conversion Definitions
c (Celsius): Celsius is a temperature scale where 0 °C marks water’s freezing point, and 100 °C it’s boiling point at 1 atmosphere pressure. Celsius increments are the same as kelvin. It is used worldwide for weather, science, and daily temperature readings.
kelvin: Kelvin is the SI base unit for temperature, starting at absolute zero, where particles have minimum motion. Each kelvin is the same size as a Celsius degree, but there are no negative kelvin values. Used in science, it measures thermodynamic temperature directly.
Conversion FAQs
Why do scientists prefer kelvin instead of Celsius?
Scientists use kelvin because its scale starts at absolute zero, meaning zero kelvin represents the complete absence of thermal energy. This makes calculations about energy, physics, or thermodynamics much simpler, since negative values are avoided and units line up with physical laws.
Can temperatures in kelvin ever be negative?
No, in kelvin scale, negative values are not possible—zero kelvin is the lowest. It represents absolute zero, where molecular motion stops. Unlike Celsius or Fahrenheit, kelvin can’t go below zero, so all kelvin temperatures are positive or zero.
How is Celsius different from kelvin?
Celsius and kelvin have the same size degree, but their starting points are offset by 273.15. Celsius is based on water’s phase changes, while kelvin starts at absolute zero. Celsius can be negative, but kelvin always positive or zero. Both used for temperature, but for different purposes.
Is converting Celsius to kelvin always reliable with addition?
Yes, you just add 273.15 to any Celsius value. No matter if it’s positive or negative, or even a decimal, the formula doesn’t change. This addition works for every Celsius temperature, except measuring below absolute zero which isn’t possible physically.