Rankine Converter
Convert any temperature between Rankine, Fahrenheit, Celsius and Kelvin. Pick the scale you are starting from and all the others are calculated at once.
How to use the Rankine Converter
- Enter the temperature.
- Choose the scale it is in (Rankine, Fahrenheit, Celsius or Kelvin).
- Read the equivalent value on every other scale.
How it works
Rankine is an absolute scale: 0 °R is absolute zero, and each Rankine degree is the same size as a Fahrenheit degree. That makes the conversions simple:
- °R = °F + 459.67
- °R = K × 9/5
- °R = (°C + 273.15) × 9/5
- °F = °R − 459.67 and K = °R × 5/9
Engineers in the US still meet Rankine in thermodynamics, for example in gas laws and heat-engine efficiency, where temperatures must start from absolute zero.
Reference temperatures
| Point | °R | °F | °C | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute zero | 0 | −459.67 | −273.15 | 0 |
| Water freezes | 491.67 | 32 | 0 | 273.15 |
| Room temperature | 527.67 | 68 | 20 | 293.15 |
| Body temperature | 558.27 | 98.6 | 37 | 310.15 |
| Water boils | 671.67 | 212 | 100 | 373.15 |
Frequently asked questions
What is 0 Rankine in Fahrenheit?
0 °R is absolute zero, which is −459.67 °F, −273.15 °C or 0 K.
How do I convert Rankine to Kelvin?
Multiply by 5/9: K = °R × 5/9. For example, 540 °R × 5/9 = 300 K.
Why is Rankine used?
It lets engineers working in Fahrenheit use an absolute scale, which is required in thermodynamic equations such as the ideal gas law.