Do they use C or F in UK?

A Curious Case of Degrees: Celsius and Fahrenheit in the UK

The UK, like much of the world, officially uses the Celsius scale for measuring temperature. You’ll see Celsius (°C) on weather reports, in cooking instructions, and displayed on most thermometers. However, the story isn’t quite that simple. A ghost of Fahrenheit lingers, creating a unique and occasionally confusing situation.

While Celsius reigns supreme in everyday life, Fahrenheit (°F) maintains a surprising, albeit somewhat sporadic, presence. This isn’t a formal dual system like some countries might have, where both scales enjoy equal footing. Instead, it’s a more nuanced situation, characterized by the unpredictable appearance of Fahrenheit in specific contexts.

You’re much less likely to hear a weather presenter announce the temperature in Fahrenheit, or for a doctor to take your temperature using a Fahrenheit thermometer. However, Fahrenheit occasionally pops up in older printed materials, particularly those imported or referencing older texts. Cookbooks, especially those with recipes originating from North America, may include Fahrenheit alongside or even instead of Celsius equivalents. Similarly, some technical specifications or instructions might use Fahrenheit, possibly reflecting their origins or the requirements of specific equipment.

The inconsistency is key. There’s no clear rule dictating when Fahrenheit will appear and when it won’t. It’s not a regional variation; you’re just as likely to find it in a London newspaper as in a Scottish cookbook – or not find it at all. This lack of a coherent pattern means that encountering Fahrenheit in the UK can feel somewhat unexpected, even jarring, despite its continued, albeit marginal, use.

This peculiar blend highlights the enduring power of established conventions, even when superseded by newer standards. While the Celsius scale is undeniably the dominant force in the UK’s temperature measurement, the occasional appearance of Fahrenheit serves as a small, quirky reminder of historical connections and the sometimes-slow pace of complete metrication. It creates a subtly mixed system, leaving the user to navigate a landscape where the familiar Celsius is frequently punctuated by the unexpected reappearance of its older counterpart.