What is wind chill?
At the same air temperature, stronger wind strips heat from your skin faster, making it feel much colder than the thermometer reading. Wind chill temperature is a number that accounts for this wind effect to represent the cold people actually feel.
Formula
Wind chill (°C) = 13.12 + 0.6215×T − 11.37×V0.16 + 0.3965×T×V0.16
(T = temperature in °C, V = wind speed in km/h)
This is the standard wind chill formula used by agencies such as the US National Weather Service (NWS), and it produces a meaningful difference when the temperature is 10°C or below and wind speed is at least 4.8 km/h.
Winter safety tips
- When wind chill drops to −20°C or below, exposed skin faces a higher risk of frostbite.
- On windy days, cover exposed areas like your face, hands, and ears as much as possible.
- Several thin layers often insulate better than one thick layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this calculator also work out summer feels-like temperature?
No — this formula is a winter-only metric that reflects the cooling effect of wind in cold weather. For summer heat and humidity, use the Discomfort Index Calculator instead.
My wind speed is in m/s or mph — what do I do?
Multiply m/s by 3.6 to get km/h, or multiply mph by 1.609 to get km/h. If you need more unit conversions, check out the Unit Converter.