Temperature · Unit Converter

Convert Delisle to Gigakelvin

Convert degrees delisle to gigakelvins instantly. GK = 3.7315e-7 − (°De × 6.666667e-10) — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a reference-temperature table and worked examples. Also check the Gigakelvin to Delisle converter for the reverse conversion.

Written by Sunith Babu L, Ph.D., Lead Engineer Reviewed by Girish V Kulkarni Ph.D.
Temperature category 2 min read Published Last reviewed Updated

Units explained

Historical Scales

Delisle

What is a degree delisle?

The degree Delisle (°De) is a famously reversed scale: water boils at 0 °De and freezes at 150 °De, so numbers increase as temperature falls. One degree Delisle corresponds to exactly −2/3 of a kelvin.

Origin of the degree delisle

Invented by French astronomer Joseph-Nicolas Delisle while directing the observatory in St. Petersburg, Russia; his thermometers were originally graduated by the contraction of mercury cooling down from the boiling point of water.

Where it is used

Widely used in 18th-century Russia for about a century. Today it appears only in the history of thermometry, where it is the textbook example of an inverted temperature scale.

When and where it was developed

Created by Joseph-Nicolas Delisle in St. Petersburg in 1732; recalibrated to the familiar 150-division form by Josias Weitbrecht in 1738.

SI Prefixed Kelvin

Gigakelvin

What is a gigakelvin?

One gigakelvin (GK) is one billion kelvins (10⁹ K).

Origin of the gigakelvin

Formed with the SI prefix 'giga-' (from Greek 'gigas', giant) applied to the kelvin base unit.

Where it is used

Extreme astrophysics — collapsing supernova cores reach roughly 100 GK, and Big Bang nucleosynthesis took place at about 1 GK.

When and where it was developed

The giga- prefix was adopted by the CGPM in 1960 as part of the SI.

Delisle to Gigakelvin conversion formula

The exact relationship between degrees delisle and gigakelvins:

GK = 3.7315e-7 − (°De × 6.666667e-10)
°De = 559.725 − (GK × 1.5e+9)

To convert degrees delisle to gigakelvins, multiply the value by 6.666667e-10 and subtract the result from 3.7315e-7. To reverse, multiply the value by 1.5e+9 and subtract the result from 559.725.

Reference anchors: water freezes at 150 °De = 2.7315e-7 GK and boils at 0 °De = 3.7315e-7 GK (at standard atmospheric pressure).

How to use this converter

Type a value into the calculator. The result in gigakelvins updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Gigakelvin to Delisle converter for the reverse direction.

Step-by-step: convert degrees delisle to gigakelvins

  1. Write down the temperature in degrees delisle (°De).
  2. Multiply the value by 6.666667e-10 and subtract the result from 3.7315e-7.
  3. The result is the same temperature expressed in gigakelvins (GK).
  4. To reverse, multiply the value by 1.5e+9 and subtract the result from 559.725 — or open the Gigakelvin to Delisle converter.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Convert 94.5 °De to GK (human body temperature):
3.7315e-7 − (94.5 × 6.666667e-10) = 3.1015e-7 GK

Example 2 — Convert 0 °De to GK (the boiling point of water):
3.7315e-7 − (0 × 6.666667e-10) = 3.7315e-7 GK

Delisle to Gigakelvin conversion table

Physically meaningful reference temperatures, from absolute zero to the surface of the Sun, converted from degrees delisle to gigakelvins:

Delisle [°De]Gigakelvin [GK]Reference point
559.7250Absolute zero
2102.3315e-7Where Celsius and Fahrenheit coincide (−40°)
176.66666666672.553722e-7Zero Fahrenheit (0 °F)
1502.7315e-7Water freezes (0 °C / 32 °F)
149.9852.7316e-7Triple point of water
1352.8315e-7Cool day (10 °C / 50 °F)
1202.9315e-7Room temperature (20 °C / 68 °F)
112.52.9815e-7Standard laboratory temperature (25 °C)
1053.0315e-7Hot day (30 °C / 86 °F)
94.53.1015e-7Human body temperature (37 °C / 98.6 °F)
903.1315e-7Heat-wave day (40 °C / 104 °F)
753.2315e-7Hot tap water (50 °C / 122 °F)
03.7315e-7Water boils (100 °C / 212 °F)
-1204.5315e-7Moderate baking oven (180 °C / 356 °F)
-8107.2755.778e-6Surface of the Sun (≈5,505 °C)

Frequently asked questions

What is 94.5 °De in GK?
94.5 °De equals 3.1015e-7 GK — normal human body temperature.
How do I convert degrees delisle to gigakelvins?
Use the formula GK = 3.7315e-7 − (°De × 6.666667e-10): multiply the value by 6.666667e-10 and subtract the result from 3.7315e-7.
How do I convert gigakelvins back to degrees delisle?
Apply the reverse formula °De = 559.725 − (GK × 1.5e+9) — multiply the value by 1.5e+9 and subtract the result from 559.725 — or use the Gigakelvin to Delisle converter.
At what temperature do the Delisle and Gigakelvin scales read the same number?
Both scales show the same number at 3.7315e-7: 3.7315e-7 °De = 3.7315e-7 GK. Set GK = °De in the conversion formula and solve to verify it.
Can a temperature be below absolute zero?
No. Absolute zero (0 K = −273.15 °C = −459.67 °F) is the floor of the thermodynamic temperature scale. The calculator flags any input that would fall below it.

Convert Delisle to other temperature units

Show all Delisle conversions

Sources & references

Conversion relationship (GK = 3.7315e-7 − (°De × 6.666667e-10)) verified against the following authoritative sources:

Results are provided for general reference. Verify critical measurements against an authoritative standard.