Wind Chill Calculator
Calculate wind chill temperature
Wind Chill Calculator
Calculate wind chill temperature
About Wind Chill
Wind chill is the perceived decrease in air temperature felt by the body on exposed skin due to the flow of air.
Note: Wind chill is only defined for temperatures at or below 50°F and wind speeds above 3 mph.
Privacy & Security
All wind chill calculations happen entirely in your browser. No temperature data, wind speed information, or location data is ever stored, logged, or transmitted to any server. Your weather queries remain completely private and secure.
About This Wind Chill Calculator
Understand the true impact of cold weather with our wind chill calculator. Wind chill describes how cold it actually feels on exposed skin when wind is factored in with the actual air temperature. A temperature of 30°F might not sound too cold, but with 20 mph winds, it feels like 17°F - cold enough to cause frostbite in 30 minutes. Our calculator uses the official National Weather Service (NWS) wind chill formula to give you accurate feels-like temperatures. Whether you're planning outdoor activities, dressing for winter weather, or assessing cold weather risks, knowing the wind chill helps you make safer decisions and dress appropriately for the conditions you'll actually experience.
Key Features
Official NWS Formula
Uses the National Weather Service's standard wind chill calculation formula
Dual Unit Support
Calculate in both Fahrenheit/mph and Celsius/kph for international use
Frostbite Risk Warning
Displays time to frostbite at calculated wind chill temperatures
Instant Calculation
Results update in real-time as you adjust temperature and wind speed
Safety Color Coding
Visual indicators show danger levels from safe to extreme cold
Wind Speed Conversion
Automatically converts between mph, km/h, knots, and m/s
Historical Comparison
Compare current conditions to historical wind chills in your area
Clothing Recommendations
Get suggested clothing layers based on calculated wind chill
Activity Planning
Assess safety for outdoor activities based on wind chill conditions
Mobile Friendly
Check wind chill on your phone before heading outdoors
How to Use the Wind Chill Calculator
Enter Air Temperature
Input the actual air temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius
Enter Wind Speed
Input the wind speed in mph, km/h, knots, or meters per second
View Wind Chill
See the calculated feels-like temperature and frostbite risk warnings
Check Safety Recommendations
Review clothing suggestions and outdoor activity safety guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wind chill and how does it work?
Wind chill is the perceived temperature on exposed skin due to the combined effect of air temperature and wind speed. Wind removes the thin layer of warm air from your skin surface, making it feel colder than the actual air temperature. The faster the wind, the more rapidly heat is removed from your body, increasing the cold sensation and risk of frostbite.
At what temperature does wind chill matter?
Wind chill is only calculated for temperatures at or below 50°F (10°C) and wind speeds above 3 mph. Above 50°F, wind chill is not a significant factor. The most dangerous wind chills occur when actual temperatures are below freezing and wind speeds are high.
How long until frostbite occurs in different wind chills?
Frostbite timing depends on wind chill temperature: -15°F to -25°F: frostbite possible in 30 minutes; -25°F to -35°F: frostbite possible in 10 minutes; -35°F to -60°F: frostbite possible in 5 minutes; below -60°F: frostbite possible in 2 minutes or less. These are approximate times for exposed skin.
Does wind chill affect objects or just people?
Wind chill only affects living things that generate heat (people, animals). It doesn't make inanimate objects colder than the actual air temperature. Your car won't freeze faster due to wind chill, but you will feel colder standing outside, and exposed skin faces greater frostbite risk.
Is the wind chill formula accurate?
The current NWS wind chill formula (updated in 2001) is based on modern scientific research and provides accurate estimates for how cold it feels on human skin. It factors in heat transfer principles and has been validated through controlled studies. However, individual perception may vary based on clothing, activity level, and personal cold tolerance.
How should I dress for different wind chill levels?
For wind chills above 0°F: layers, hat, gloves. 0°F to -25°F: multiple layers, insulated jacket, face protection, insulated gloves. -25°F to -50°F: extreme cold gear, full face coverage, layered mittens, limit outdoor time. Below -50°F: avoid outdoor exposure; life-threatening conditions even with proper gear.
Why doesn't wind chill apply in summer?
Wind chill specifically measures increased heat loss in cold conditions. In warm weather, wind actually provides a cooling relief through evaporation of sweat, but this is measured by 'heat index' instead, which combines temperature and humidity rather than wind.
Is my weather data stored?
No. All wind chill calculations happen entirely in your browser. No temperature data, wind speeds, or calculations are stored, logged, or transmitted to any server. Your weather queries remain completely private.
Common Use Cases
- Winter Outdoor Planning: Determine if it's safe to go hiking, skiing, or engage in other outdoor winter activities based on actual cold exposure.
- Work Safety Assessment: Evaluate cold weather risks for outdoor workers and determine necessary break schedules and protective gear requirements.
- Athletic Training: Plan outdoor running, cycling, or training sessions by understanding real cold exposure beyond just thermometer readings.
- Travel Preparation: Prepare appropriate clothing when traveling to cold climates by understanding the combined effect of temperature and wind.
- School Closures: Help school administrators decide on cold weather closures or outdoor recess cancellations based on wind chill thresholds.
- Pet Safety: Determine safe outdoor time for pets based on wind chill and their cold tolerance levels.
- Construction Planning: Assess whether outdoor construction work is safe or if special cold weather protocols are needed.
- Photography Sessions: Plan outdoor photo shoots and determine how long models and equipment can safely remain outside in cold, windy conditions.
Why Use Our Wind Chill Calculator?
Don't be fooled by the thermometer alone - know the real temperature your body experiences. Wind chill can be the difference between a comfortable outdoor experience and dangerous cold exposure. Our calculator provides accurate, science-based wind chill calculations using the official National Weather Service formula, giving you the information you need to make safe decisions about outdoor activities. Whether you're planning a winter hike, managing outdoor workers, or simply deciding how to dress for your morning commute, understanding wind chill helps you prepare properly. With frostbite warnings, clothing recommendations, and instant calculations, you can avoid the dangers of underestimating cold weather conditions. The tool works on any device, so you can check wind chill on your phone before stepping outside.