The short answer
Room temperature is usually about 20°C to 25°C, which is 68°F to 77°F. There is no single official number. Different fields use slightly different ones.
Convert °C to °F
20°C = 68°F = 293.15 K
Why you see different numbers
- Science and school. Many textbooks use 20°C or 25°C. Some use 21°C or 22°C.
- Medicine storage. In the US, rules for storing medicine call 20°C to 25°C "controlled room temperature".
- Homes. What people want at home is a different question. See what is a comfortable room temperature.
If a recipe or a lab sheet says "room temperature", use the number it gives. If it does not give one, 20°C to 22°C (68°F to 72°F) is a safe pick. For medicine storage or other specific uses, follow the official instructions instead.
Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin
| Celsius | Fahrenheit | Kelvin |
|---|---|---|
| 15°C | 59°F | 288.15 K |
| 16°C | 60.8°F | 289.15 K |
| 17°C | 62.6°F | 290.15 K |
| 18°C | 64.4°F | 291.15 K |
| 19°C | 66.2°F | 292.15 K |
| 20°C | 68°F | 293.15 K |
| 21°C | 69.8°F | 294.15 K |
| 22°C | 71.6°F | 295.15 K |
| 23°C | 73.4°F | 296.15 K |
| 24°C | 75.2°F | 297.15 K |
| 25°C | 77°F | 298.15 K |
| 26°C | 78.8°F | 299.15 K |
| 27°C | 80.6°F | 300.15 K |
| 28°C | 82.4°F | 301.15 K |
| 29°C | 84.2°F | 302.15 K |
| 30°C | 86°F | 303.15 K |
How to convert
Celsius to Fahrenheit: multiply by 9, divide by 5, then add 32. For example, 22°C × 9 ÷ 5 = 39.6, and 39.6 + 32 = 71.6°F.
Fahrenheit to Celsius: subtract 32, multiply by 5, then divide by 9. For example, 68°F − 32 = 36, and 36 × 5 ÷ 9 = 20°C.
Celsius to Kelvin: add 273.15. So 20°C is 293.15 K.
For a quick guess in your head, double the Celsius number and add 30. It is a little high, but close enough for everyday use.
Common questions
What is room temperature in Celsius?
Usually 20°C to 25°C. For a comfortable home, 20°C to 22°C is a common target.
What is room temperature in Fahrenheit?
Usually 68°F to 77°F. For comfort at home, 68°F to 72°F is a common target.
What is room temperature in Kelvin?
About 293.15 K to 298.15 K, which is 20°C to 25°C plus 273.15.
What is room temperature in chemistry?
It depends on the textbook or lab sheet. Many use 20°C (293 K) and many use 25°C (298 K). Use the number your problem or instructions give.
What is a good room temperature for my home?
Most people feel comfortable at about 20°C to 24°C (68°F to 75°F). See what is a comfortable room temperature for what changes it.