118 °F at a glance
- Celsius
- 47.78 °C
- Exact fraction
- 47 7/9 °C
- Kelvin
- 320.93 K
- Rankine
- 577.67 °R
- Rounded
- 48 °C
- Quick estimate
- 44 °C
How to convert 118 °F to Celsius
°C = (°F − 32) × 5/9
(118 − 32) × 5/9 = 86 × 5/9 = 430/9 = 47.78 °C
(118 − 32) × 5/9 = 86 × 5/9 = 430/9 = 47.78 °C
Subtract 32 first because the two scales put zero in different places, then multiply by 5/9 because a Fahrenheit degree is only 5/9 the size of a Celsius degree. 86 is not a multiple of 9, so the exact answer is the repeating decimal 47 7/9 °C.
Estimate it in your head
Subtract 30 and halve: (118 − 30) ÷ 2 = 44 °C. That is 3.8 degrees low — the shortcut drifts at very hot and very cold temperatures, so use the exact formula there.
118 °F: extreme heat and hot water
- Extreme heat. Air at 118 °F (47.78 °C) is dangerous even in dry climates; desert cities in the Southwest reach these readings on the hottest summer afternoons. Even at low humidity the heat index is high:
| Relative humidity | Heat index | NWS category |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | 113 °F | Danger |
| 25% | 134 °F | Extreme danger |
| 40% | Off the NWS chart | Extreme danger |
- Water heaters. The US Department of Energy recommends setting a water heater to 120 °F (49 °C) to save energy and reduce scalding risk; 118 °F is 2 degrees below that.
- Too hot for a hot tub. 118 °F is above the 104 °F (40 °C) maximum the CPSC sets out for spa water, and well above any safe body temperature.
- Food safety. 118 °F is still inside the 40–140 °F “danger zone” where bacteria grow fastest, so food kept warm at 118 °F is not being held safely.
Temperatures near 118 °F
| Fahrenheit | Celsius | Kelvin |
|---|---|---|
| 113 °F | 45 °C | 318.15 K |
| 114 °F | 45.56 °C | 318.71 K |
| 115 °F | 46.11 °C | 319.26 K |
| 116 °F | 46.67 °C | 319.82 K |
| 117 °F | 47.22 °C | 320.37 K |
| 118 °F | 47.78 °C | 320.93 K |
| 119 °F | 48.33 °C | 321.48 K |
| 120 °F | 48.89 °C | 322.04 K |
Going the other way: 48 °C in Fahrenheit is 118.4 °F.
Frequently asked questions
What is 118 °F in Celsius?
118 °F is 47.78 °C: subtract 32 (86) and multiply by 5/9.
Is 118 °F hot or cold?
118 °F is extremely hot — hotter than any healthy body temperature.
How do you convert 118 °F to Celsius in your head?
Subtract 30 and divide by 2: (118 − 30) ÷ 2 = 44 °C, compared with the exact 47.78 °C.
What is 118 °F in Kelvin?
118 °F is 320.93 K. Convert to Celsius (47.78 °C) and add 273.15.