Convert Rankine (°R) to Celsius (°C) instantly.
About these units
Rankine (°R)
The Rankine scale is the absolute-temperature counterpart to Fahrenheit, just as kelvin is to Celsius. It starts at absolute zero—0°R—but increments in degrees of the same size as Fahrenheit. This makes Rankine essential for thermodynamic calculations in engineering fields that rely on the imperial system, especially in the United States. Many formulas in gas dynamics, thermodynamics, and aerospace engineering require absolute temperatures, and Rankine serves this purpose without the need to switch to metric units. For example, ideal gas law equations in US customary engineering practice use Rankine directly. Although less commonly referenced outside engineering, the Rankine scale occupies a crucial niche. It preserves consistency with Fahrenheit-based systems while enabling high-level thermodynamic work. Its existence reflects the adaptability of absolute scales to multiple cultural measurement frameworks.
Celsius (°C)
The Celsius scale is one of the world's most widely used temperature scales, rooted in human experience and environmental observation. Defined so that water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C under standard atmospheric pressure, the scale provides intuitive benchmarks that align closely with everyday life, weather reporting, cooking, and basic heating or cooling applications. In scientific work, the Celsius scale aligns neatly with the kelvin: T(K) = T(°C) + 273.15, which preserves temperature intervals and ensures compatibility with thermodynamic equations. This makes Celsius suitable for most laboratory temperature measurements while maintaining convenience for ordinary use. Historically, the scale was reversed—originally, 0°C represented water's boiling point and 100°C its freezing point. It was later inverted to match modern intuitive expectations and became standardized internationally. Today, Celsius serves as a bridge between everyday perception and scientific rigor, striking a balance between practicality and precision.