How this calculator works
Converting toward Celsius reverses the Fahrenheit formula: first subtract 32 to realign the freezing point of water, then multiply by the exact fraction 5/9 to rescale the degrees. Because 5/9 repeats as a decimal, some results are shown rounded to 6 significant digits while the defining fraction remains exact.
Formula
°C = (°F - 32) × 5/9.
Worked example
32 °F to Celsius: (32 - 32) × 5/9 = 0 °C, the freezing point of water.
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Frequently asked questions
Useful anchor points for checking an answer?
Water freezes at 32 °F or 0 °C, body temperature is about 98.6 °F or 37 °C, and water boils at 212 °F or 100 °C at sea level.
Do °F and °C ever read the same?
Yes, at exactly -40 degrees: (-40 - 32) × 5/9 = -40. It is the one point where the two scales agree.
Can I convert a temperature below zero?
Yes. The formula subtracts 32 and then multiplies by 5/9, so negative Fahrenheit values convert normally; 0 °F is about -17.78 °C.