Wind Chill Calculator
"Feels Like" Cold Weather Temperature
Wind Chill (Feels Like)
Ready for Calculation
Enter temperature and wind speed to calculate the wind chill.
Understanding Wind Chill
Wind chill describes how much colder moving air makes exposed skin feel compared to the actual air temperature. Wind strips away the thin layer of warm air your body naturally holds near its surface, accelerating heat loss.
The NWS Formula
This calculator uses the National Weather Service's official 2001 wind chill formula, the standard used in North American weather forecasts.
Frostbite Risk
Wind chill values well below freezing can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes — always check the wind chill, not just the thermometer, before heading outdoors in winter.
When Wind Chill Applies
The wind chill formula is only valid for temperatures at or below 50°F (10°C) and wind speeds of at least 3 mph (5 km/h). Below these thresholds, wind has little meaningful cooling effect on exposed skin.
Opposite of Heat Index
Wind chill measures how cold you feel; our Heat Index Calculator measures how hot you feel in humid summer conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Wind Speed Matters More Than You'd Think: Even modest wind speeds can drop the "feels like" temperature significantly compared to the actual air temperature.
- Applies to Exposed Skin: Wind chill affects how quickly exposed skin loses heat — layered, wind-resistant clothing significantly reduces its impact.
- Valid Range Only: Outside the 50°F/3 mph threshold, this calculator will flag that wind chill doesn't meaningfully apply.