120 Celcius to Kelvin – Easy Conversion Explained

120 Celsius is equivalent to 393.15 Kelvin.

To convert Celsius to Kelvin, you add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature. This shifts the scale so that absolute zero, the coldest possible temperature, sits at 0 Kelvin. Therefore, 120 degrees Celsius plus 273.15 gives the Kelvin temperature.

Conversion Tool

Conversion Formula

The formula to convert Celsius (°C) to Kelvin (K) is:

K = °C + 273.15

This formula works because the Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15°C. By adding 273.15 to any Celsius temperature, you shift it so that the zero point aligns properly with the Kelvin scale.

Example: Convert 120°C to Kelvin:

• Start with 120°C
• Add 273.15 to this number: 120 + 273.15
• Result: 393.15 K

Conversion Example

• Convert 25°C to Kelvin:
  • Start with 25°C
  • Add 273.15: 25 + 273.15 = 298.15 K
• Convert -40°C to Kelvin:
  • Temperature is negative: -40°C
  • Add 273.15: -40 + 273.15 = 233.15 K
• Convert 0°C to Kelvin:
  • Zero degrees Celsius is the freezing point of water
  • Add 273.15: 0 + 273.15 = 273.15 K
• Convert 100°C to Kelvin:
  • Boiling point of water
  • Add 273.15: 100 + 273.15 = 373.15 K
• Convert 80.5°C to Kelvin:
  • Take 80.5°C
  • Add 273.15: 80.5 + 273.15 = 353.65 K

Conversion Chart

The chart shows Celsius temperatures with their equivalent Kelvin values. To find a temperature in Kelvin, look up the Celsius value on the left column and read across to see the Kelvin conversion.

Related Conversion Questions

• What is 120 degrees Celsius in Kelvin?
• How do you convert 120°C to K accurately?
• Is 120 Celsius higher or lower than 300 Kelvin?
• What temperature does 120°C equal on the Kelvin scale?
• How many Kelvin are equivalent to 120°C?
• Can I convert 120 Celsius directly to Kelvin?
• What formula converts 120°C to Kelvin?

Conversion Definitions

Celsius: Celsius is a temperature scale based on 0 degrees for the freezing point of water and 100 degrees for its boiling point, under standard atmospheric pressure. It is widely used in most countries for weather forecasts and scientific measurements, representing temperature in degrees Celsius (°C).

Kelvin: Kelvin is the SI unit for temperature measurement, starting at absolute zero where particles have minimum thermal energy. It uses the same increment size as Celsius but begins at 0 K, corresponding to -273.15°C, and is mostly used in scientific contexts where precise thermodynamic calculations needed.

Conversion FAQs

Why do we add 273.15 to convert Celsius to Kelvin?

Because Kelvin starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15°C, we add this value to shift the Celsius scale so that 0 Kelvin corresponds to absolute zero. This adjustment aligns the two scales for accurate temperature comparisons in physics and chemistry.

Can Kelvin temperatures be negative?

No, Kelvin temperatures can’t be negative because zero Kelvin is absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature where all molecular motion stops. It’s impossible to reach a temperature below zero Kelvin physically or theoretically.

Is the size of one Kelvin degree the same as one Celsius degree?

Yes, the size of one degree is the same on both scales. The only difference is their starting points. That means a change of 1°C equals a change of 1 K, but their zero points differ by 273.15 units.

Why is Kelvin used in scientific temperature measurements instead Celsius?

Kelvin is preferred in scientific fields because it starts at absolute zero, allowing calculations involving temperature and energy to be more straightforward. Celsius is relative to water’s freezing and boiling points, making Kelvin more universal for thermodynamic equations.

Is 120 degrees Celsius a high temperature in Kelvin terms?

Yes, 120°C equals 393.15 K, which is considered quite high; many chemical reactions and physical processes occur at temperatures within this range, especially in industrial and laboratory settings.

Last Updated : 11 July, 2025

Sandeep Bhandari

Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.