Kelvin (K) to Rankine (°R) Conversion
Kelvin
The Kelvin is the SI base unit of thermodynamic temperature, named after Lord Kelvin who proposed an absolute temperature scale in 1848. Zero Kelvin (0 K), absolute zero, represents the theoretical lowest possible temperature (−273.15 °C). No degree symbol is used because Kelvin is an absolute scale, not a degree-based one. The Kelvin is universally used in physics and chemistry because it is directly proportional to thermal energy.
Rankine
The Rankine scale is an absolute temperature scale using the same degree size as Fahrenheit but with zero at absolute zero (−459.67 °F). It is to Fahrenheit what Kelvin is to Celsius. Used primarily in US aerospace engineering and thermodynamic cycle analysis where Fahrenheit-sized degrees are conventional but absolute temperature values are required. Water freezes at 491.67 °R and boils at 671.67 °R.
| Kelvin (K) | Rankine (°R) |
|---|---|
| 263 K | 473.40 °R |
| 273 K | 491.40 °R |
| 283 K | 509.40 °R |
| 293 K | 527.40 °R |
| 298 K | 536.40 °R |
| 303 K | 545.40 °R |
| 310 K | 558.00 °R |
| 313 K | 563.40 °R |
| 323 K | 581.40 °R |
| 333 K | 599.40 °R |
| 373 K | 671.40 °R |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the formula to convert Kelvin to Rankine?
The exact formula is °R = K × 9/5. For example: 273.15 K = 491.67 °R and 373.15 K = 671.67 °R. Both are absolute scales — their zero point is absolute zero — so no offset is needed, only a scale factor of 9/5.
What is 0 Kelvin in Rankine?
0 K equals 0 °R — both represent absolute zero. Using the formula: 0 × 9/5 = 0 °R. This is the unique property these two scales share: they are proportional with a fixed ratio and no additive offset.
Convert Kelvin (K) to other units of Temperature
| ‣ Kelvin (K) to Celsius (°C) |
| ‣ Kelvin (K) to Fahrenheit (°F) |
| ‣ Kelvin (K) to Kelvin (K) |
| ‣ Kelvin (K) to Rankine (°R) |
| ‣ Celsius (°C) to Kelvin (K) |
| ‣ Fahrenheit (°F) to Kelvin (K) |
| ‣ Kelvin (K) to Kelvin (K) |
| ‣ Rankine (°R) to Kelvin (K) |