Heat Index Calculator

Calculate the heat index — how hot it actually feels — from air temperature and relative humidity.

The NWS heat index formula

This uses the Rothfusz regression, the formula behind the US National Weather Service's heat index tables, with the standard low- and high-humidity adjustments applied at the edges of its valid range. For combinations where the simplified heat-index estimate stays below 80°F, that simpler estimate is used instead, matching NWS practice.

Why humidity makes heat feel worse

Sweat cools your body by evaporating. High humidity slows evaporation, so your body can't shed heat as effectively — the same air temperature feels hotter as humidity rises.

The heat index assumes shade and light wind. Direct sunlight can add up to 15°F to the perceived temperature.

Common questions

What counts as dangerous heat index?

90–103°F is "extreme caution" territory (heat cramps/exhaustion possible), and above 103°F moves into "danger," where heat stroke becomes a real risk with continued exposure.

How is this different from wind chill?

Heat index is the warm-weather counterpart to our Wind Chill Calculator — both estimate "feels like" temperature, but heat index factors in humidity while wind chill factors in wind speed.

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