Science & Lab Tools
Wind Chill Calculator
Calculate how cold it actually feels outside by factoring in wind speed and air temperature.
Reviewed by the calculator.uk.com Team · Last reviewed 27 May 2026 · Our methodology
Enter temperature and wind speed to calculate wind chill
Related to Wind Chill Calculator
The Wind Chill Calculator uses a scientifically developed formula to determine how cold it actually feels outside when wind is factored in. Wind chill is the perceived decrease in air temperature felt by the human body due to wind flow. The faster the wind blows, the more heat is carried away from the body, making the temperature feel colder than what a thermometer shows.
The Wind Chill Formula
The calculator uses the modern wind chill formula: WCT = 13.12 + 0.6215T - 11.37V⁰·¹⁶ + 0.3965TV⁰·¹⁶, where T is the air temperature in Celsius and V is the wind speed in meters per second. This formula is used by meteorological services worldwide and provides accurate results for temperatures at or below 10°C (50°F) and wind speeds above 4.8 km/h (3 mph).
Unit Conversions
The calculator automatically handles unit conversions between Celsius and Fahrenheit for temperature, and between kilometers per hour (km/h) and miles per hour (mph) for wind speed. This ensures accurate results regardless of your preferred units of measurement.
The wind chill temperature represents how cold it actually feels on your skin when the wind is taken into account. This "feels like" temperature is important for understanding the risk of cold-related health issues and for making informed decisions about outdoor activities and appropriate clothing.
Wind Chill Risk Levels
• Low Risk (Above -10°C/14°F): Normal winter precautions needed
• Moderate Risk (-10°C to -27°C/14°F to -17°F): Risk of hypothermia if outside for long periods
• High Risk (-28°C to -39°C/-18°F to -38°F): High risk of frostbite and hypothermia
• Extreme Risk (Below -40°C/-40°F): Dangerous conditions, frostbite possible within minutes
1. Why does wind make it feel colder?
Wind removes the thin layer of warm air that normally surrounds your body. The faster the wind speed, the more quickly this warm air is removed and replaced by colder air, making you feel colder. This is why a 0°C day can feel much colder when it's windy.
2. Does wind chill affect inanimate objects?
Wind chill only affects objects warmer than the surrounding air and cannot make them colder than the actual air temperature. For example, while you may feel colder in the wind, your car won't get colder than the actual air temperature, regardless of wind speed.
3. At what temperature and wind speed does wind chill become dangerous?
Wind chill becomes dangerous when the temperature drops below -15°C (5°F) with wind speeds above 15 km/h (9 mph). In these conditions, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in under 30 minutes. The risk increases significantly as temperatures drop and wind speeds rise.
4. Can wind chill be calculated in warm weather?
The wind chill formula is only valid for temperatures at or below 10°C (50°F) and wind speeds above 4.8 km/h (3 mph). In warm weather, different factors like humidity and heat index are more relevant for determining how the weather feels.
5. What is the scientific source for this calculator?
The formula used here is the North American wind chill index developed in 2001 by the Joint Action Group for Temperature Indices, a joint effort between the U.S. National Weather Service and Environment Canada that combined heat-transfer modeling with clinical trials measuring facial cooling. It replaced the older Siple-Passel formula and has since become the standard used by the weather services of the US, Canada, and the UK.