Weather

Wind Chill Calculator

Calculate the "feels like" wind chill temperature.

Enter the air temperature and wind speed to calculate the wind chill — how cold it actually feels — using the official U.S. National Weather Service formula.

Formula is valid for temps at or below 50°FEnter a valid temperature (50°F or below).
Formula is valid for wind speeds of 3 mph or moreEnter a valid wind speed (3 mph or more).

Wind Chill Temperature

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How to Use This Tool

  1. Enter the current air temperature in °F (50°F or below).
  2. Enter the current wind speed in mph (3 mph or more).
  3. Click Calculate for the wind chill "feels like" temperature.

The NWS Wind Chill Formula

Wind Chill = 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. This formula, adopted by the U.S. National Weather Service in 2001, is based on how quickly exposed skin loses heat in cold, windy conditions.

Why Wind Makes Cold Feel Colder

Wind strips away the thin layer of warm air that naturally forms next to your skin, accelerating heat loss — the stronger the wind, the faster this layer is removed and the colder the air feels, even though the actual air temperature hasn't changed.

Formula Validity Range

This formula is only valid for temperatures at or below 50°F and wind speeds of 3 mph or greater — outside this range, wind chill isn't meaningfully calculated the same way (very light wind or warm temperatures don't produce the same cooling effect).

Why Wind Chill Matters for Safety

Wind chill values are used to estimate frostbite and hypothermia risk during outdoor exposure — official wind chill warnings account for how quickly exposed skin can develop frostbite at a given wind chill temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is wind chill formula only valid below 50°F?

The formula models a specific physiological cooling effect on human skin that's only meaningful at cold temperatures — above 50°F, wind doesn't produce a comparable dangerous cooling effect, so the formula isn't applied.

Does wind chill affect objects like car engines the same way as skin?

No — wind chill specifically measures the cooling effect on exposed human/animal skin. Inanimate objects like car radiators cool according to actual air temperature and won't drop below the actual air temperature regardless of wind speed.

This calculator is provided for general informational and estimation purposes only. Results should not be treated as professional financial, tax, legal, medical, or engineering advice. Always verify critical calculations with a qualified professional or official source before making decisions.