Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter

Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit reading, then multiply what is left by 5/9 (or divide it by 1.8). Taking away 32 first lines up the zero points, because 32 °F is where Celsius starts at 0; the 5/9 then shrinks the larger count of Fahrenheit degrees to the Celsius size.

An American recipe that bakes at 350 °F: 350 − 32 = 318, and 318 ÷ 1.8 = 176.7 °C, which European ovens set as 175 or 180 °C. A thermostat at 72 °F gives 72 − 32 = 40, then 40 ÷ 1.8 = 22.2 °C.

Negative answers are normal below 32 °F. A winter morning at 14 °F is 14 − 32 = −18, divided by 1.8 is −10 °C.

Take away 30, then halve. For 72 °F: 72 − 30 = 42, and half of 42 is 21 °C, about a degree under the exact 22.2. For 50 °F it is exact (10 °C), and for anything between freezing and a hot day it stays within a couple of degrees.

For oven settings use landmarks instead: 300 °F is about 150 °C, 350 °F about 175 °C, 400 °F about 205 °C and 450 °F about 230 °C. Each 25 °F step on the dial is roughly 14 °C.