What is "feels like" temperature?

Apparent or "feels like" temperature is an estimate of how hot or cold the air actually feels to the human body, accounting for wind speed (which accelerates heat loss in cold weather) and relative humidity (which slows sweat evaporation in hot weather). The thermometer reading alone does not capture these physiological effects.

Which formula is used for cold weather?

The NWS/Environment Canada Wind Chill formula adopted in 2001: WC = 35.74 + 0.6215·T − 35.75·V^0.16 + 0.4275·T·V^0.16 (T in °F, V in mph). It is only valid when T ≤ 50 °F and V > 3 mph.

Which formula is used for hot weather?

The NWS Rothfusz multi-variable regression equation. For conditions where its threshold is not reached (heat index average below 80 °F), the simpler Steadman approximation is used instead.

What if the temperature is moderate — neither very hot nor very cold?

When the temperature is between about 50 °F (10 °C) and 80 °F (27 °C), neither Wind Chill nor Heat Index is meaningful. The calculator will display the actual air temperature and note that no apparent temperature adjustment applies.

Do I need to fill in both wind speed and humidity?

No. Fill in wind speed for cold-weather calculations and humidity for hot-weather calculations. You can fill in both and the tool will apply whichever formula is applicable given your temperature.

Feels Like Temperature Calculator

Calculate apparent "feels like" temperature using Wind Chill (cold + wind) or Heat Index (hot + humidity) — in both °F and °C.

Enter Conditions

Temperature Unit

Air Temperature (°F)

Wind Speed (used for Wind Chill)

Relative Humidity (%, used for Heat Index)

0% Dry 50% 100% Humid

Enter temperature plus wind speed and/or humidity,
then click Calculate Feels Like.

Summary

The Feels Like Temperature Calculator determines the apparent temperature perceived by the human body. When it is cold and windy, it applies the official NWS/Environment Canada Wind Chill formula. When it is hot and humid, it applies the NWS Rothfusz Heat Index regression. The tool automatically selects the correct model based on your inputs, displaying results in both Fahrenheit and Celsius alongside a safety level indicator.

How it works

Enter the air temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Enter wind speed (for cold conditions) and/or relative humidity (for hot conditions).
The calculator selects Wind Chill when temperature is at or below 50 °F (10 °C) and wind > 3 mph.
The calculator selects Heat Index when temperature is at or above 80 °F (27 °C) and humidity is provided.
Both Fahrenheit and Celsius results are displayed together with a comfort or danger level.
If both Wind Chill and Heat Index apply (rare edge cases), Wind Chill takes precedence.

Use cases

Check how cold or hot it will actually feel before heading outside.
Assess frostbite or heat stroke risk for outdoor workers and athletes.
Plan winter hiking, skiing, or running routes safely.
Understand weather app "feels like" readings and how they are calculated.
Educate students about apparent temperature and human thermoregulation.
Compare conditions across multiple cities when traveling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-13 · Reviewed by Nham Vu