Wind Chill Calculator guide
Wind Chill Calculator: How Cold Does It Feel?
Use our wind chill calculator to work out the feels-like temperature from the air temperature and wind speed, and the risk of frostbite.
By the AllCalculator editorial teamUpdated 16 October 20261 min read
On a windy winter day, it can feel much colder than the thermometer says. Our Wind Chill Calculator works out the "feels like" temperature.
How to use the calculator (Wind Chill Calculator)
- Choose °C or °F.
- Enter the air temperature.
- Enter the wind speed and choose its units.
Why wind makes you colder
Your body warms a thin layer of air next to your skin. Wind blows it away, so you lose heat faster. The wind chill is the temperature that would cause the same heat loss on a calm day.
The formula
The calculator uses the formula adopted by the US and Canadian weather services in 2001, with temperature T in °C and wind speed V in km/h:
WC = 13.12 + 0.6215T − 11.37V^0.16 + 0.3965TV^0.16
It applies at 10°C or below with winds over about 3 mph.
A worked example
With the calculator's default settings, an air temperature of 2°C with a 20 mph wind feels like −4.1°C.
Frostbite risk
| Wind chill | Risk |
|---|---|
| Above −10°C | Low |
| −10°C to −27°C | Uncomfortable; risk of hypothermia if you're out for long |
| −28°C to −39°C | Exposed skin can freeze in 10 to 30 minutes |
| Below −40°C | Exposed skin can freeze in minutes |
Frequently asked questions
Can wind chill freeze water?
No. Wind chill affects warm objects like people. Water won't freeze unless the actual air temperature is below 0°C.
Is it the same as the Met Office "feels like" temperature?
Similar. The Met Office's feels-like figure also accounts for humidity and sunshine.
For hot weather, use our Heat Index Calculator.
Sources and further reading
Links open official and independent websites in a new tab.
This guide is general information to help you understand your options. It isn't financial, tax, legal or building advice and doesn't take your personal circumstances into account. Figures were checked when the guide was last updated and can change, so confirm anything important with GOV.UK, HMRC, a regulated adviser or a qualified tradesperson.