What is wind chill?
Wind chill estimates how cold skin feels when wind increases heat loss. It is used for outdoor cold-work planning. It is not a body-core temperature and does not replace a full cold-stress assessment (wet clothing, contact cooling, metabolic rate).
Enter air temperature and wind speed below. The calculator uses the NWS wind-chill formula and shows indicative frostbite-risk bands. Pair with heat index and WBGT for hot work.
Cold Stress / Wind Chill Calculator
Cold stress · NWS wind chill
Combine air temperature and wind speed into a wind-chill value with frostbite-oriented guidance.
Formula: WC = 35.74 + 0.6215·T − 35.75·V^0.16 + 0.4275·T·V^0.16 (°F, mph)
- Assumes dry skin outdoors — wet clothes increase risk.
- Not for cold-store design; use task-specific cold-stress controls indoors.
- Watch for frostbite and hypothermia symptoms; warm-up breaks matter.
WC = 35.74 + 0.6215·T − 35.75·V0.16 + 0.4275·T·V0.16 (T in °F, V in mph).
Frequently asked questions
Does the formula work in Celsius?
Enter °C or °F — the tool converts. Wind can be mph or km/h; pick matching units.
What about wet clothing?
Wind chill assumes dry skin. Wet clothes greatly increase heat loss — add layers, wind barriers, and shorter exposures.
When is frostbite a concern?
Risk rises as wind chill falls. Many charts flag increasing frostbite risk below about −18°F (−28°C) wind chill, sooner in stronger winds — treat bands as indicative.
Indoor cold rooms?
Wind chill is for outdoor wind. Cold stores need air temperature, gloves, and task-specific cold-stress controls instead.
