Boiling Point at Altitude Calculator

Water boils at a lower temperature the higher you go — and that matters for cooking, baking, and food safety. Enter your altitude (in feet or meters) into the Boiling Point at Altitude Calculator to find the exact boiling point of water at your elevation. You'll also see the atmospheric pressure at that altitude and how many degrees below the sea-level boiling point your result falls — or override with a known pressure reading for a more precise calculation.

ft

Enter elevation above sea level

inHg

Leave blank to calculate from altitude

Results

Boiling Point

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Atmospheric Pressure

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Difference from Sea Level

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Results Table

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the boiling point of water at sea level?

Water boils at 212°F (100°C) at sea level, where atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi (29.92 inHg). This is the standard reference point for boiling point calculations.

How does altitude affect the boiling point of water?

As altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases, which lowers the boiling point of water. For every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, water's boiling point drops by approximately 2°F (1.1°C).

Why does water boil at a lower temperature at high altitudes?

Water boils when its vapor pressure equals atmospheric pressure. At higher altitudes, there's less atmospheric pressure pushing down on the water, so it reaches its boiling point at a lower temperature.

How do I calculate boiling point from atmospheric pressure?

The boiling point can be calculated using the Antoine equation: log₁₀ P(mmHg) = 8.07131 - 1730.63/(233.426 + T(°C)). You solve this equation for temperature T when you know the pressure P.

Does this affect cooking times at high altitudes?

Yes, lower boiling points at altitude mean water-based cooking takes longer. Pasta, rice, and boiled vegetables need more time to cook properly because the water temperature is lower than 212°F.

What's the boiling point at Denver's altitude?

Denver sits at approximately 5,280 feet above sea level. At this altitude, water boils at about 202°F (94°C), which is 10°F lower than at sea level.

Can I use barometric pressure readings from weather reports?

Yes, you can enter the current barometric pressure from weather reports for more accurate results. Weather stations typically report adjusted pressure, which works well for this calculation.

What's the highest altitude where water can still boil?

Water can theoretically boil at any altitude, but at extremely high elevations like Mount Everest (29,032 ft), water boils at around 160°F (71°C). At the Armstrong limit (63,000 ft), water boils at body temperature.