0 degrees Celsius
0 °CTemperature · definition
Celsius and Fahrenheit have shifted zero points. Differences are useful; “twice as hot” in °C or °F is not a physical temperature ratio.
Temperature
Just how hot is 0 degrees Celsius?
Everyday temperatures
0 °C
0 degrees Celsius
Celsius and Fahrenheit have shifted zero points.
0 °CTemperature
0 K · absolute zero
Freezing water
Freezing water is liquid water at the temperature where it begins to turn into ice under normal pressure.
0 °CTemperature
0 K · absolute zero
Celsius and Fahrenheit zero points are offsets. Compare temperature differences, not ratios in °C or °F. The kelvin axis starts at absolute zero.
A little perspective
0 degrees Celsius is the same as the temperature of freezing water.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
0 degrees Celsius
Temperature: 0 °C; definition.
Celsius and Fahrenheit have shifted zero points. Differences are useful; “twice as hot” in °C or °F is not a physical temperature ratio.
Freezing water
Temperature: 0 °C; defined reference.
Fresh water at about one atmosphere. Dissolved substances and pressure change its freezing point.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked temperature is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Measurement details
Why these numbers?
Compare 0 degrees Celsius with the temperature of freezing water. The notes below explain how each value was chosen.
Freezing water
0 °CTemperature · defined reference
Fresh water at about one atmosphere. Dissolved substances and pressure change its freezing point.
- Comparing
- Temperature ↔ Temperature
- Relative size
- We compare temperatures using a difference in kelvins, not a ratio.
How to read the visual
The diagram uses the recorded measurements. Details outside the marked spans do not set the scale.
- The temperature of freezing water: This is an illustrative comparison value, not a claim that every example is the same.
Compare temperature differences in kelvins; Celsius and Fahrenheit ratios are not meaningful.
32 °Fdegrees Fahrenheit
273.15 Kkelvin
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