−20 °C at a glance
- Fahrenheit
- −4 °F
- Kelvin
- 253.15 K
- Rankine
- 455.67 °R
- Rounded
- −4 °F
- Quick estimate
- −10 °F
- As a change (Δ)
- Δ−20 °C = Δ−36 °F
How to convert −20 °C to Fahrenheit
−20 × 1.8 = −36
−36 + 32 = −4 °F
Multiply by 9/5 (1.8) because each Celsius degree spans 1.8 Fahrenheit degrees, then add 32 because water freezes at 32 °F rather than 0. Since −20 is a multiple of 5, the result is a whole number.
Estimate it in your head
Double it and add 30: −20 × 2 + 30 = −10 °F, which is 6 degrees low — good for weather, not for cooking or medicine.
Careful with temperature changes: a rise of 20 °C is a rise of 36 °F — multiply by 1.8 but do not add 32.
What −20 °C feels like
−20 °C is −4 °F. That is 2.0 degrees colder than a home freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Environment Canada and the US National Weather Service both warn that frostbite can develop within 30 minutes once the wind chill reaches about −28 °C (−18 °F).
| Wind | Feels like | In °F | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 km/h | −27 °C | −17 °F | Cover exposed skin |
| 20 km/h | −30 °C | −23 °F | Frostbite possible in 30 min or less |
| 40 km/h | −34 °C | −29 °F | Frostbite possible in 30 min or less |
Temperatures near −20 °C
| Celsius | Fahrenheit | Kelvin |
|---|---|---|
| −25 °C | −13 °F | 248.15 K |
| −24 °C | −11.2 °F | 249.15 K |
| −23 °C | −9.4 °F | 250.15 K |
| −22 °C | −7.6 °F | 251.15 K |
| −21 °C | −5.8 °F | 252.15 K |
| −20 °C | −4 °F | 253.15 K |
| −19 °C | −2.2 °F | 254.15 K |
| −18 °C | −0.4 °F | 255.15 K |
| −17 °C | 1.4 °F | 256.15 K |
| −16 °C | 3.2 °F | 257.15 K |
| −15 °C | 5 °F | 258.15 K |
Going the other way: −4 °F in Celsius is −20 °C.
Frequently asked questions
What is −20 °C in Fahrenheit?
−20 °C is −4 °F: multiply by 1.8 (−36) and add 32.
Is −20 °C hot or cold?
−20 °C is severe cold — colder than a home freezer.
How do you convert −20 °C to Fahrenheit quickly?
Double it and add 30: −10 °F. The exact value is −4 °F.
What is −20 °C in Kelvin?
Add 273.15: −20 °C = 253.15 K.