Wind Chill Calculator
Find out how cold it really feels when wind speed is factored into the air temperature.
Example
At an air temperature of 20°F with a 15 mph wind: WC = 35.74 + 0.6215(20) − 35.75(150.16) + 0.4275(20)(150.16) ≈ 6°F, a wind chill drop of about 14°F.
How it works
Uses the official NWS wind chill formula: WC = 35.74 + 0.6215T − 35.75·V^0.16 + 0.4275·T·V^0.16, where T is air temperature in °F and V is wind speed in mph. Valid for T ≤ 50°F and V > 3 mph.
Good to know
This Wind Chill Calculator estimates the "feels like" temperature on cold, windy days by combining air temperature and wind speed into a single number using the U.S. National Weather Service formula. It is built for hikers, runners, dog walkers, ski and snowmobile riders, parents bundling up kids, and anyone deciding how to dress before heading outside in winter. You enter the air temperature and wind speed, switch between °F/mph and °C/km/h with one tap, and the result updates instantly in your browser.
The reason wind chill matters is that moving air strips heat away from exposed skin faster than still air, so a thermometer reading alone understates the danger. Reach for this tool when a forecast lists a temperature but the day is gusty, when you are planning outdoor activity in freezing weather, or when you want to gauge how long bare skin can stay exposed before frostbite becomes a concern.
Read the result from the top down: the large "Feels like" value is the wind chill temperature, the badge gives a quick severity word (Cool, Cold, Very cold, Bitter, or Dangerous), the "Wind chill drop" shows how many degrees the wind subtracts from the air temperature, and the "Frostbite risk" estimates roughly how quickly frostbite can set in on exposed skin (for example around 30, 10, or 5 minutes as it gets colder). A larger drop means the wind is doing more of the work of making you feel cold.
- Tip: The formula only kicks in at or below 50°F (10°C) with wind above 3 mph (4.8 km/h); outside that range the tool shows the plain air temperature because there is no meaningful chill. Note that wind chill describes effect on bare skin in shade, so direct sun, proper layers, or wet clothing will change how cold you actually feel.
Frequently asked questions
When does the wind chill formula apply?
The NWS formula is valid only when the air temperature is at or below 50°F (10°C) and the wind speed is above 3 mph (4.8 km/h). Outside that range there is no meaningful wind chill, so the calculator simply shows the actual air temperature.
Why is the wind chill higher than the actual temperature sometimes?
It never is within the valid range — wind chill always equals or is below the air temperature. If you enter a temperature above 50°F or very light wind, the formula doesn't apply and the tool reports the real air temperature instead of a lower 'feels like' value.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No — this calculator runs entirely in your browser. Your inputs never leave your device, and it works offline once loaded.
Is this calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up and no limits.
People also ask
What is the difference between wind chill and the actual temperature?
The actual temperature is what a thermometer reads, while wind chill is how cold exposed skin feels once wind speed is factored in. Wind chill is always equal to or lower than the air temperature, never higher, within the formula's valid range.
At what wind chill does frostbite happen?
Frostbite risk rises sharply as wind chill drops below about -18°F (-28°C), where exposed skin can be affected in roughly 30 minutes, and at around -47°F frostbite can occur in about 5 minutes. The exact time varies with skin exposure, moisture, and individual factors.
Does wind chill affect cars, pipes, or objects?
No. Wind chill only describes how fast exposed skin and other warm objects lose heat; it cannot cool an object below the actual air temperature. Pipes, cars, and water will not freeze faster from wind chill than the true air temperature allows, though wind can speed up how quickly they reach that temperature.
How do you convert wind chill between Fahrenheit and Celsius?
You convert the resulting feels-like temperature the same way as any temperature: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9, and °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. This calculator handles the conversion automatically when you switch units, including converting mph and km/h for wind speed.
Is wind chill the same as the 'feels like' temperature in weather apps?
In cold weather, the 'feels like' value in most apps is the wind chill. In warm, humid weather apps instead use the heat index, which factors in humidity rather than wind, so 'feels like' refers to different calculations depending on the season.
Why is there no wind chill above 50°F?
The National Weather Service wind chill formula is only defined for air temperatures at or below 50°F (10°C) with wind above 3 mph. Above that threshold the cooling effect of wind on skin is considered negligible, so the calculator simply reports the actual air temperature.
Does higher wind always mean a much lower wind chill?
Wind chill drops as wind speed increases, but the effect levels off because the formula scales wind speed to the power of 0.16. The first 10 to 15 mph of wind has the biggest impact, while additional gusts beyond that lower the feels-like temperature only modestly.
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