How wind chill is calculated
Wind chill describes how much colder moving air makes exposed skin feel compared to the actual air temperature, because wind speeds up the loss of body heat. This calculator uses the official formula adopted by the U.S. National Weather Service and Environment Canada in 2001.
Formula used: Wind Chill = 35.74 + 0.6215T − 35.75(V^0.16) + 0.4275T(V^0.16), where T is the air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit and V is the wind speed in miles per hour.
- The formula is designed for temperatures at or below 50°F and wind speeds of at least 3 mph, which is when wind chill has a meaningful effect.
- Outside that range, the calculator simply shows the actual air temperature, since the standard formula does not apply.
This tool is for general weather awareness and educational purposes; always follow official local weather advisories in genuinely hazardous conditions.
Last reviewed August 2026