🌬️ Wind Chill Calculator
Calculate the wind chill temperature , how cold it feels on exposed skin when wind is combined with cold air.
What Is Wind Chill?
Wind chill is the perceived decrease in air temperature felt by the body on exposed skin due to the flow of air. The stronger the wind, the faster heat is carried away from the body, making it feel colder than the actual air temperature.
The current wind chill formula was developed in 2001 by the U.S. National Weather Service and Environment Canada based on human trials with sensors attached to volunteers on treadmills. It replaced the older Siple-Passel formula from 1941 that was based on experiments with water bottles in Antarctica.
Wind chill is officially defined for temperatures at or below 50°F (10°C) and wind speeds above 3 mph (4.8 km/h). Wind speeds below 3 mph have a negligible effect, and above 50 mph the effect is minimal.
How Is Wind Chill Calculated?
The official NOAA/NWS formula for wind chill in Fahrenheit is:
Wind Chill (°F) = 35.74 + 0.6215 × T − 35.75 × (V0.16) + 0.4275 × T × (V0.16)
Where: T = air temperature (°F) | V = wind speed (mph)
For Celsius users, the equivalent formula is:
Wind Chill (°C) = 13.12 + 0.6215 × T − 11.37 × (V0.16) + 0.3965 × T × (V0.16)
Where: T = air temperature (°C) | V = wind speed (km/h)
Frostbite Risk Levels
Wind chill is closely tied to frostbite risk. The National Weather Service provides guidelines for frostbite danger based on wind chill temperature:
- 0°F to -19°F (-18°C to -28°C): Low risk , frostbite possible in 30+ minutes.
- -20°F to -39°F (-29°C to -39°C): Moderate risk , frostbite in 10-30 minutes.
- -40°F to -59°F (-40°C to -50°C): High risk , frostbite in 5-10 minutes.
- -60°F and below (-51°C and below): Extreme risk , frostbite in 2-5 minutes.
Why Use This Wind Chill Calculator?
- NOAA/NWS Formula: Uses the official 2001 wind chill standard
- Multiple Units: Supports °F, °C, mph, km/h, m/s, and knots.
- Frostbite Risk: Get an immediate risk assessment for cold weather safety.
- Wind Chill Chart: Visualize how wind chill changes with wind speed.
- Free & Private: No registration, no data storage.
❓ Wind Chill Calculator FAQ
What is wind chill?
Wind chill is the temperature it feels like on exposed skin when wind is combined with cold air. It measures the rate of heat loss from the body due to wind.
How is wind chill calculated?
The NOAA/NWS formula is: Wind Chill (°F) = 35.74 + 0.6215T − 35.75(V^0.16) + 0.4275T(V^0.16), where T is air temperature in °F and V is wind speed in mph.
When does wind chill apply?
Wind chill is only calculated for temperatures at or below 50°F (10°C) and wind speeds above 3 mph (4.8 km/h).
What is the wind chill formula for Celsius?
Wind Chill (°C) = 13.12 + 0.6215T − 11.37(V^0.16) + 0.3965T(V^0.16), where T is in °C and V is in km/h.
Does wind chill affect inanimate objects?
No. Wind chill only applies to living beings with body heat. Inanimate objects like cars or pipes will cool to the actual air temperature, not the wind chill temperature.
How accurate is the wind chill formula?
The 2001 formula is accurate to within ±1°F for the conditions it was designed for (temperatures below 50°F, winds above 3 mph). It was validated with human trials.
What is the old wind chill formula?
The original Siple-Passel formula from 1941 was based on water freezing experiments in Antarctica. It was replaced by the current formula in 2001.
Can wind chill cause frostbite?
Yes. Wind chill accelerates heat loss from exposed skin, increasing the risk of frostbite. The calculator provides a risk assessment based on wind chill temperature.
What wind speed is used for wind chill?
Wind speed is measured at 5 feet (1.5 meters) above the ground , the typical height of an adult human's face , rather than the standard 33 feet (10 meters).
Is this calculator free?
Yes, this calculator is completely free to use. No registration or personal data storage is required. All calculations are performed in your browser.
What is the difference between wind chill and heat index?
Wind chill applies to cold weather and measures how cold it feels. Heat index applies to hot weather and measures how hot it feels when humidity is factored in.
Why does wind make it feel colder?
Wind removes the thin layer of warm air that surrounds the body, increasing the rate of heat loss. The faster the wind, the faster heat is carried away.
What is the lowest wind chill ever recorded?
One of the lowest recorded wind chills was at Mount Washington, New Hampshire, where a temperature of -47°F with 100 mph winds created a wind chill of -108°F.
Does wind chill affect pets?
Yes. Pets are also affected by wind chill. Like humans, they lose heat faster in windy conditions. It's important to bring pets indoors during extreme cold.
When was the wind chill formula updated?
The current wind chill formula was introduced in 2001 by the U.S. National Weather Service and Environment Canada.