Countries That Use Fahrenheit – Complete List & Map
Last updated: February 28, 2026
Today, nearly every country in the world uses Celsius (°C) for everyday temperature measurement. Only a handful of nations and territories continue to use Fahrenheit (°F) as their primary scale.
Countries and Territories That Use Fahrenheit
The following nations and territories use Fahrenheit as their official or primary temperature scale for weather reporting, cooking and daily life:
| Country / Territory | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | North America | Primary scale for all public use; Celsius used in science and military |
| The Bahamas | Caribbean | Influenced by proximity to the US |
| Palau | Pacific Islands | Compact of Free Association with the US |
| Federated States of Micronesia | Pacific Islands | Compact of Free Association with the US |
| Marshall Islands | Pacific Islands | Compact of Free Association with the US |
| Puerto Rico (US) | Caribbean | US territory |
| Guam (US) | Pacific Islands | US territory |
| US Virgin Islands | Caribbean | US territory |
| American Samoa (US) | Pacific Islands | US territory |
| Northern Mariana Islands (US) | Pacific Islands | US territory (Commonwealth) |
Countries That Use Both Scales
Some countries have officially adopted Celsius but still use Fahrenheit in certain contexts:
| Country | Official Scale | Fahrenheit Usage |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Celsius | Older generation, tabloid newspapers, informal heat wave reports |
| Canada | Celsius | Some cross-border communities near the US; older appliances |
| Belize | Celsius (official) | Fahrenheit still widely used in daily conversation |
| Cayman Islands | Celsius (official) | Fahrenheit common due to US tourism influence |
Timeline of Global Adoption of Celsius
The transition from Fahrenheit to Celsius happened over decades as countries adopted the metric system. Key milestones:
| Year | Country | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1742 | Sweden | Anders Celsius proposes centigrade scale |
| 1794 | France | Metric system adopted including Celsius |
| 1948 | International | "Centigrade" officially renamed to "Celsius" (9th CGPM) |
| 1962 | United Kingdom | Met Office switches weather forecasts to Celsius |
| 1970 | Canada | Metrication program begins; Celsius adopted for weather by 1975 |
| 1972 | Australia | Switches to Celsius on September 1 |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Completes transition to Celsius |
| 1975 | United States | Metric Conversion Act passed — but voluntary adoption; Fahrenheit remains |
Why Does the United States Still Use Fahrenheit?
The persistence of Fahrenheit in the United States comes from a combination of factors:
- Cultural inertia: Americans have used Fahrenheit for over 250 years. Weather, cooking, thermostats and daily conversation are deeply tied to the scale.
- Voluntary metrication: The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 made metric adoption voluntary, unlike mandatory switchovers in Australia, Canada and the UK. Without a legal mandate, industries and consumers had little incentive to change.
- Infrastructure cost: Replacing road signs, oven dials, thermostats, weather displays and educational materials nationwide would cost billions of dollars.
- Perceived precision: Some Americans argue that Fahrenheit offers finer granularity for weather — the 0–100 °F range roughly corresponds to the range of habitable outdoor temperatures, making it intuitive for daily weather.
Despite this, American science, medicine, and military operations already use Celsius and Kelvin. Drug dosage calculations, lab results and engineering specifications frequently rely on metric temperature.
Fahrenheit vs. Celsius: Scale Comparison
Understanding why Celsius became the global standard requires comparing the two scales:
| Reference Point | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute zero | −273.15 °C | −459.67 °F |
| Water freezes | 0 °C | 32 °F |
| Room temperature | ~22 °C | ~72 °F |
| Body temperature | 37 °C | 98.6 °F |
| Water boils | 100 °C | 212 °F |
Celsius anchors its scale to the physical properties of water, making it more intuitive for scientific applications. For a detailed comparison, see our Celsius vs. Fahrenheit guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries still use Fahrenheit?
The United States, the Bahamas, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands are the only countries that officially use Fahrenheit as their primary temperature scale. Several US territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands) also use Fahrenheit.
Why does the US still use Fahrenheit?
The US has resisted full metrication largely due to cultural inertia and the cost of switching. Although Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, participation was voluntary. American consumers, media and infrastructure remain deeply tied to Fahrenheit for weather, cooking and daily life.
Does the UK use Celsius or Fahrenheit?
The UK officially uses Celsius for weather forecasts and scientific purposes since adopting the metric system. However, many British people still reference Fahrenheit informally, especially older generations. Weather reports sometimes include both scales during heat waves.
When did most countries switch from Fahrenheit to Celsius?
Most countries transitioned during the 1960s and 1970s as part of broader metrication programs. The UK switched weather reporting to Celsius in 1962. Canada began its metrication program in 1970. Australia switched in 1972. These changes were part of a global movement toward the International System of Units (SI).
Related Temperature Conversions
Data Accuracy
Country data on this page is based on official national standards organizations and national meteorological services. Transition dates reflect documented government announcements. All temperature conversions use the formula °F = °C × 9/5 + 32.
About This Page
Content maintained by the CelsiusFahrenheit.co editorial team. All conversions follow the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) as defined by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). Calculations use IEEE 754 double-precision arithmetic. Last reviewed: February 2026.