Calculate the boiling point of water at different altitudes. As altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases, lowering water's boiling point below the standard 212°F (100°C) at sea level.
Boiling Point
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Atmospheric Pressure
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Difference from Sea Level
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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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.