fahrenheits

Fahrenheits is the plural term used to refer to temperatures measured on the Fahrenheit scale, expressed as degrees Fahrenheit (symbol °F). The scale assigns 32 °F to the freezing point of water and 212 °F to the boiling point of water at standard atmospheric pressure, with 180 equal degrees between these fixed points. A Fahrenheit degree is therefore 1/180 of the interval between freezing and boiling.

The Fahrenheit scale was developed in the early 18th century by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit and is named after him. He introduced a thermometer scale based on reproducible fixed points, including a brine mixture that defined 0 °F and ice-water at 32 °F; later, the scale was standardized so that water’s freezing and boiling points align with 32 °F and 212 °F, respectively. The scale gained widespread use in many English-speaking regions and remains common in the United States and a few other territories, though scientific work often uses Celsius or Kelvin.

In everyday contexts, temperatures are commonly spoken of in Fahrenheit, for example in weather forecasts and cooking, where the symbol °F appears after the numeric value. Conversion between Fahrenheit and Celsius is linear: F = C × 9/5 + 32, and C = (F − 32) × 5/9. See also: Fahrenheit, temperature scales, Celsius.