In 1 rankine there are 0.555556 kelvin. Meanwhile in 1 kelvin there are 1.8 rankine. Keep reading to learn more about each unit of measure and how they are calculated. Or just use the Kelvin to Rankine calculator above to convert any number.
* Values rounded to 6 decimal places for readability
To convert Rankine (°R) to Kelvin (K), use a simple scale change. Both scales start at absolute zero, but Rankine uses Fahrenheit-sized degrees.
Example:
If °R = 540, then K = 540 ÷ 1.8 = 300 K.
Use this conversion any time you need to change °R to K in science, engineering, or thermodynamics.
Rankine (°R) and Kelvin (K) are both absolute temperature scales. That means they start at absolute zero. The Rankine scale uses the same size degree as Fahrenheit, while Kelvin uses the same size degree as Celsius.
To convert Rankine to Kelvin, you scale by the ratio between Fahrenheit and Celsius degree sizes.
Use this formula:
This works because a Rankine degree is larger than a Kelvin by a factor of 9/5.
It’s a direct conversion with no offsets.
Both scales start at absolute zero, so zero Rankine equals zero Kelvin.
This value matches the freezing point of water, which is 273.15 K.
This is the boiling point of water at standard pressure, which is 373.15 K.
Rankine is tied to Fahrenheit degree size. Kelvin is tied to Celsius degree size. One Celsius degree equals 1.8 Fahrenheit degrees. So converting an absolute Fahrenheit-based scale to an absolute Celsius-based scale uses 5/9 to shrink the step size.
No. You only multiply by 5/9.
Unlike Fahrenheit to Celsius, there is no need to add or subtract 32. Both Rankine and Kelvin already begin at absolute zero.
No. Kelvin is written as K, not °K.
Rankine is often written as °R.
No. Rankine can’t go below 0 °R. Kelvin can’t go below 0 K. If you see a negative result, the input or the math is wrong.
Use the reverse formula:
This expands the Kelvin step size to match Rankine.
Rankine and Kelvin are absolute scales. Fahrenheit and Celsius are relative scales with different zero points.
Common links:
Both measure thermodynamic temperature. Kelvin is the SI base unit for temperature. Rankine is used less often, but you may see it in some engineering fields, especially when Fahrenheit-based units appear in formulas.
Common errors include:
The Calculate Box tool to convert rankine to kelvin uses the open source script Convert.js to convert units of measurement. To use this tool, simply type a rankine value in the box and have it instantly converted to kelvin.