What formula does this use?

This calculator uses the official Wind Chill Index formula adopted jointly by the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) and Environment Canada in November 2001: WC = 35.74 + 0.6215·T − 35.75·V^0.16 + 0.4275·T·V^0.16, where T is temperature in °F and V is wind speed in mph.

When does wind chill apply?

Wind chill only applies when the air temperature is at or below 50°F (10°C) and wind speed is above 3 mph (4.8 km/h). At higher temperatures or calm conditions, wind chill is not meaningful and this calculator will inform you.

How are frostbite risk times calculated?

Frostbite risk thresholds are based on NWS research: wind chills of −18°F (−28°C) can cause frostbite in 30 minutes, −32°F (−36°C) in 10 minutes, and −48°F (−44°C) or colder in 5 minutes on exposed skin.

Does wind chill affect how quickly objects freeze?

No. Wind chill only describes how quickly the human body loses heat. It does not affect inanimate objects like car radiators or water pipes, which cool to the actual air temperature regardless of wind speed.

Why does wind make it feel colder?

Your body generates a thin layer of warm air near your skin. Wind strips away this insulating layer faster than your body can replace it, accelerating heat loss and making the ambient temperature feel much colder.

Wind Chill Calculator

Enter air temperature and wind speed to instantly calculate the wind chill temperature and estimated frostbite risk using the official NWS formula.

Wind Chill Inputs

Unit System

Air Temperature

°F

Wind chill applies at or below 50°F / 10°C

Wind Speed

mph

Must be above 3 mph / 4.8 km/h for wind chill to apply

Wind Chill (Feels Like)

Enter values and calculate

Actual Air Temperature

Frostbite Risk

Calculate to see frostbite risk for exposed skin.

Frostbite Risk Reference

Wind Chill Frostbite Risk

Above −18°F / −28°C Low — no imminent risk

−18 to −32°F / −28 to −36°C 30 min exposure

−32 to −48°F / −36 to −44°C 10 min exposure

Below −48°F / −44°C 5 min exposure

Summary

Enter air temperature and wind speed to instantly calculate the wind chill temperature and estimated frostbite risk using the official NWS formula.

How it works

Enter the air temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Enter the wind speed in mph, km/h, or m/s.
The calculator applies the official NWS/Environment Canada wind chill formula.
The resulting wind chill temperature and frostbite risk time are displayed instantly.
Switch between unit systems at any time — results update automatically.

Use cases

Check how cold it will actually feel before going outside in winter.
Assess frostbite risk for outdoor workers and winter athletes.
Plan hiking, skiing, or cold-weather activities safely.
Help children understand why winter dressing matters.
Verify weather app wind chill readings independently.
Educational demonstrations of wind chill physics in classrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-09-22 · Reviewed by Nham Vu