What is the Wind Chill Calculator?
Find the feels-like temperature with this free wind chill calculator. Enter air temperature and wind speed in metric (°C, km/h) or imperial (°F, mph) to get wind chill using the official 2001 NWS and Environment Canada formula. See frostbite risk, outdoor safety guidance, and the cooling effect of wind on exposed skin. Results update instantly in your browser with no signup.
How to use the Wind Chill Calculator
- Choose metric (°C and km/h) or imperial (°F and mph).
- Enter the air temperature and wind speed at standard 10 m (33 ft) height.
- Wind chill appears instantly — the temperature exposed skin effectively feels.
- Review frostbite risk and outdoor guidance for your conditions.
- Try presets such as 0°C with 30 km/h or -5°F with 25 mph for harsh winter scenarios.
Common use cases
- Checking how cold a winter run or hike will feel before heading out
- Planning outdoor work or school recess during windy cold snaps
- Comparing metric and imperial wind chill for weather reports
- Teaching how wind increases heat loss and frostbite risk
- Quick reference when reading NWS or Environment Canada wind chill warnings
Frequently asked questions
- What is wind chill?
- Wind chill is the perceived temperature on exposed skin when wind increases heat loss from your body. Higher wind speeds strip away the thin warm layer of air near your skin, making it feel colder than the actual air temperature.
- Which formula does this calculator use?
- It uses the joint NWS / Environment Canada wind chill formula adopted in 2001. Metric: WCI = 13.12 + 0.6215T − 11.37V^0.16 + 0.3965T·V^0.16 (T in °C, V in km/h). Imperial: WCI = 35.74 + 0.6215T − 35.75V^0.16 + 0.4275T·V^0.16 (T in °F, V in mph).
- When does wind chill not apply?
- The formula is only valid for cold, windy conditions: temperature at or below 10°C (50°F) and wind at or above 5 km/h (3 mph). Above those limits, the feels-like temperature equals the actual air temperature.
- How does wind chill relate to frostbite?
- Lower wind chill means faster heat loss and shorter safe exposure times. At wind chill around -28°C (-18°F) or lower, frostbite on exposed skin can occur in 30 minutes or less; below -48°C (-55°F), in just a few minutes.
- Is wind chill the same as heat index?
- No. Wind chill applies to cold, windy weather. Heat index (apparent temperature) applies to hot, humid conditions and describes how humidity slows sweat evaporation. They address opposite ends of the temperature spectrum.
