Why Does the US Still Use Fahrenheit Over Celsius?

So, it’s quite cold outside in much of the U.S., and that means it’s time to talk about how Americans measure it.

Cars are covered by snow in parking lot at O'Hare International Airport on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Chicago. The first major winter storm of the year is bearing down on the Chicago region, bringing with it blizzard conditions of heavy snow and strong winds. Numerous Chicago-area attractions are closed, more than 1,100 flights have been canceled at Chicago's airports and snow-covered roads are making travel treacherous. AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

So, it’s quite cold outside in a good portion of the U.S., and that means it’s time to talk about why Americans use Fahrenheit.

The United States relies heavily on Fahrenheit—a measurement system that almost no other country in the world uses. And while Americans sometimes use Celsius—particularly in the medical and scientific fields—it’s never really caught on.

Other than the U.S., let’s take a look at the countries that use the Fahrenheit temperature scale: Bahamas, Belize, the Cayman Islands, Palau, and sometimes Canada and the U.K. (both predominantly use Celsius).

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