Enter the temperature or current into the calculator to determine the missing value. This calculator maps a 0–100°C temperature range to a 4–20 mA output.
Temperature To mA Formula
The following formulas are used to convert between temperature (°C) and current (mA) for a standard 4–20 mA transmitter with a 0–100 °C range:
I = 4 + (T / 100) × 16
T = ((I - 4) / 16) × 100
Variables:
- I is the output current in milliamps (mA)
- T is the temperature in degrees Celsius (°C)
- The span of current is 20 mA − 4 mA = 16 mA
- The temperature range is 0 °C to 100 °C
| Temperature (°C) | Temperature (°F) | Temperature (K) | Current (mA) | Current (A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 32.0 | 273.15 | 4.00 | 0.00400 |
| 5 | 41.0 | 278.15 | 4.80 | 0.00480 |
| 10 | 50.0 | 283.15 | 5.60 | 0.00560 |
| 15 | 59.0 | 288.15 | 6.40 | 0.00640 |
| 20 | 68.0 | 293.15 | 7.20 | 0.00720 |
| 25 | 77.0 | 298.15 | 8.00 | 0.00800 |
| 30 | 86.0 | 303.15 | 8.80 | 0.00880 |
| 35 | 95.0 | 308.15 | 9.60 | 0.00960 |
| 40 | 104.0 | 313.15 | 10.40 | 0.01040 |
| 45 | 113.0 | 318.15 | 11.20 | 0.01120 |
| 50 | 122.0 | 323.15 | 12.00 | 0.01200 |
| 55 | 131.0 | 328.15 | 12.80 | 0.01280 |
| 60 | 140.0 | 333.15 | 13.60 | 0.01360 |
| 65 | 149.0 | 338.15 | 14.40 | 0.01440 |
| 70 | 158.0 | 343.15 | 15.20 | 0.01520 |
| 75 | 167.0 | 348.15 | 16.00 | 0.01600 |
| 80 | 176.0 | 353.15 | 16.80 | 0.01680 |
| 85 | 185.0 | 358.15 | 17.60 | 0.01760 |
| 90 | 194.0 | 363.15 | 18.40 | 0.01840 |
| 100 | 212.0 | 373.15 | 20.00 | 0.02000 |
| Assumes a linear 4–20 mA transmitter scaled 0–100 °C (0 °C → 4.00 mA, 100 °C → 20.00 mA). Conversions: A = mA ÷ 1000; °F = °C × 9/5 + 32; K = °C + 273.15. | ||||
What is Temperature To mA?
In process instrumentation, temperature transmitters convert a measured temperature into a standardized current signal (4–20 mA) for control and monitoring. The Temperature To mA calculator provides the linear conversion between a temperature value and its corresponding current output.
How to Calculate Temperature To mA?
Use the calculator or follow these steps to convert temperature to current or vice versa:
- Enter the known value in either the Temperature or Current field.
- Select the correct unit (°C, °F, K for temperature; mA, A for current).
- Click “Calculate” to compute the missing value using the linear mapping.
- If needed, convert units back to your preferred scale.
- Use “Reset” to clear both fields and start a new conversion.
Example Problem:
Find the mA output for a temperature of 25 °C:
Using I = 4 + (T / 100) × 16 = 4 + (25 / 100) × 16 = 4 + 4 = 8 mA