20 degrees Celsius equals 293.15 Kelvin.
To convert Celsius to Kelvin, you add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature. Since Kelvin measures absolute temperature starting from absolute zero (-273.15°C), adding 273.15 shifts the Celsius scale up to match the Kelvin scale.
Conversion Tool
Result in kelvin:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert Celsius to Kelvin is:
K = °C + 273.15
This works because Kelvin starts at absolute zero, the coldest possible temperature, which is -273.15°C. Adding 273.15 shifts the Celsius temperature scale so that zero Kelvin represents absolute zero. For example, if you have 20°C:
- Start with 20°C.
- Add 273.15 to this value.
- 20 + 273.15 = 293.15 K.
Thus, 20°C equals 293.15 Kelvin.
Conversion Example
- Convert 0°C to Kelvin:
- Take 0°C.
- Add 273.15.
- 0 + 273.15 = 273.15 K.
- Convert -10°C to Kelvin:
- Take -10°C.
- Add 273.15.
- -10 + 273.15 = 263.15 K.
- Convert 37°C to Kelvin:
- Take 37°C.
- Add 273.15.
- 37 + 273.15 = 310.15 K.
- Convert 100°C to Kelvin:
- Take 100°C.
- Add 273.15.
- 100 + 273.15 = 373.15 K.
Conversion Chart
| Celsius (°C) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|
| -5.0 | 268.15 |
| 0.0 | 273.15 |
| 5.0 | 278.15 |
| 10.0 | 283.15 |
| 15.0 | 288.15 |
| 20.0 | 293.15 |
| 25.0 | 298.15 |
| 30.0 | 303.15 |
| 35.0 | 308.15 |
| 40.0 | 313.15 |
| 45.0 | 318.15 |
The chart shows Celsius values in the left column and their equivalent Kelvin temperatures on the right. To find any temperature in Kelvin, add 273.15 to the Celsius value or use this chart for quick reference.
Related Conversion Questions
- What is 20°C in kelvin rounded to two decimals?
- How do you convert 20 degrees Celsius to kelvin step by step?
- Why does 20 Celsius equal 293.15 kelvin?
- Is 20°C higher or lower than 293 kelvin?
- What formula converts Celsius to kelvin when temperature is 20?
- How much kelvin does 20 degrees Celsius correspond?
- Does converting 20 Celsius to kelvin require subtracting or adding?
Conversion Definitions
Celsius: Celsius is a temperature scale where zero represents water’s freezing point and 100 is water’s boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure. It is widely used for daily temperature measurements and scientific work, measured in degrees Celsius (°C).
Kelvin: Kelvin is the base unit of temperature in the International System, starting at absolute zero, the lowest temperature possible. Kelvin does not use degrees but simply K, and is important in physics and thermodynamics for absolute measurements.
Conversion FAQs
Why do we add 273.15 to convert Celsius into Kelvin?
The Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15°C on the Celsius scale. Adding 273.15 shifts Celsius temperatures up, so zero kelvin equals absolute zero. This constant shift aligns Celsius with Kelvin for easy conversion.
Can kelvin values be negative when converted from Celsius?
No, kelvin temperatures never become negative. Since absolute zero is zero kelvin, any Celsius value below -273.15°C is impossible physically, so kelvin values always zero or positive after conversion.
Is it necessary to use decimals when converting Celsius to Kelvin?
Decimals improve precision but are not always required. For many practical uses, rounding kelvin to whole numbers works fine. However, scientific calculations usually keep decimals for accuracy.
Does converting 20 Celsius to kelvin change the temperature’s physical meaning?
No, converting just changes the scale, not the actual temperature. 20°C and 293.15 K represent the same thermal state but expressed differently for specific scientific or engineering needs.
Can I convert kelvin back to Celsius easily?
Yes, to get Celsius from kelvin, subtract 273.15 from the kelvin value. This reverses the conversion and gives you the temperature on the Celsius scale.