273 kelvin is equal to -0.15 degrees Celsius.
Table of Contents
To convert kelvin to celsius, you subtract 273.15 from the kelvin temperature. This is because the kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15°C on the Celsius scale.
Conversion Tool
Result in celsius:
Conversion Formula
The formula for converting kelvin to celsius is Celsius = Kelvin – 273.15. This formula works because the kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which corresponds to -273.15°C. The kelvin and celsius scales have the same increments, so the difference between them is a constant offset.
Step-by-step example:
- Given temperature: 273 K
- Subtract 273.15 from 273: 273 – 273.15 = -0.15
- Result: -0.15°C
Conversion Example
- Convert 300 K to Celsius:
- Start with 300 kelvin.
- Subtract 273.15: 300 – 273.15 = 26.85
- Result is 26.85°C
- Convert 250 K to Celsius:
- Start with 250 kelvin.
- Subtract 273.15: 250 – 273.15 = -23.15
- Result is -23.15°C
- Convert 280 K to Celsius:
- Start with 280 kelvin.
- Subtract 273.15: 280 – 273.15 = 6.85
- Result is 6.85°C
Conversion Chart
| Kelvin (K) | Celsius (°C) |
|---|---|
| 248.0 | -25.15 |
| 253.0 | -20.15 |
| 258.0 | -15.15 |
| 263.0 | -10.15 |
| 268.0 | -5.15 |
| 273.0 | -0.15 |
| 278.0 | 4.85 |
| 283.0 | 9.85 |
| 288.0 | 14.85 |
| 293.0 | 19.85 |
| 298.0 | 24.85 |
This chart shows kelvin values from 248 to 298 with their corresponding celsius equivalents. You can find a kelvin temperature in the left column and read across to see what it equals in degrees celsius.
Related Conversion Questions
- What is 273 kelvin in degrees Celsius exactly?
- How to convert 273 K temperature to Celsius scale?
- Is 273 kelvin above or below freezing point in Celsius?
- Why subtract 273.15 when converting 273 kelvin to Celsius?
- What temperature does 273 kelvin correspond to in Celsius?
- How cold is 273 kelvin compared to 0°C?
- Can 273 kelvin be zero Celsius or not?
Conversion Definitions
Kelvin: Kelvin is the base unit of temperature in the International System, measuring absolute temperature. Zero kelvin means absolute zero, the lowest theoretical temperature, where molecular motion stops. Unlike Celsius, kelvin does not use degrees, and increments are the same size.
Celsius: Celsius is a temperature scale used worldwide, based on water’s freezing point at 0°C and boiling point at 100°C under standard pressure. It is widely used in weather, science, and daily life. Celsius degrees are the same size as kelvin increments but offset by 273.15.
Conversion FAQs
Why is the subtraction of 273.15 necessary when converting kelvin to Celsius?
The kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15°C on the Celsius scale. To convert kelvin to Celsius, you subtract this offset to align the scales properly. Without subtracting 273.15, the temperature would not correctly represent the Celsius value.
Is 273 kelvin the same as 0 degrees Celsius?
273 kelvin is slightly less than 0°C because 0°C equals exactly 273.15 kelvin. So, 273 kelvin converts to -0.15°C, just below the freezing point of water on the Celsius scale.
Can temperatures in kelvin be negative?
No, kelvin temperatures cannot be negative because the scale starts at absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature. Negative kelvin values would imply temperatures below absolute zero, which is physically impossible.
How precise is the kelvin to Celsius conversion when done with 273 kelvin?
The conversion subtracts a fixed value of 273.15, so it is very precise. However, the input temperature’s measurement accuracy can affect the result. For 273 kelvin, the exact Celsius equivalent is -0.15°C, which is precise to two decimal places.
Why use kelvin instead of Celsius in scientific contexts?
Kelvin is used in science because it is an absolute scale starting at absolute zero, making calculations involving thermodynamics and physics more straightforward. Celsius is relative to water’s freezing point, so kelvin avoids negative values and simplifies scientific formulas.