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Frost Point Calculator

Calculate the frost point — the temperature at which frost deposits as ice — from air temperature and relative humidity, distinct from dew point.

Frost point is meaningful below 0°C; above freezing it coincides with the dew point.

About this tool

The Frost Point Calculator finds the temperature at which water vapor in the air begins to deposit directly as ice (frost) rather than condensing as liquid dew. Below freezing, the saturation vapor pressure over ice is lower than over supercooled water, so the frost point is slightly higher than the dew point for the same air — a distinction that matters in aviation icing, refrigeration, and cold-climate agriculture.

The calculation is two steps. First the actual vapor pressure over water is found from the Magnus equation: e = 6.1094·exp(17.625·T/(T+243.04))·RH/100 in hPa. Then that vapor pressure is inverted against the saturation curve over ice using the WMO ice coefficients a = 22.587, b = 273.86°C, and es0 = 6.1121 hPa: with γ = ln(e/es0), the frost point is Tf = b·γ/(a − γ) in °C. The tool also shows the ordinary dew point for comparison.

Everything runs in your browser locally. Enter the temperature (°C or °F) and relative humidity; results appear in °C and °F. The frost point is physically meaningful below 0°C — above freezing it effectively coincides with the dew point, since frost does not form. Relative humidity must be above 0 and at most 100%.

Frequently asked questions

How does the frost point differ from the dew point?
The dew point is where vapor condenses to liquid; the frost point is where it deposits as ice. Because the saturation vapor pressure over ice is lower than over water, the frost point is a little higher than the dew point at the same conditions.
When is the frost point relevant?
Below 0°C, when frost can form on surfaces, aircraft, crops, and heat exchangers. Above freezing, frost does not deposit, so the frost point simply tracks the dew point and this tool is best used for sub-freezing air.
What formula is used?
The actual vapor pressure over water is inverted against the Magnus curve over ice with WMO coefficients a=22.587, b=273.86°C, es0=6.1121 hPa: γ=ln(e/6.1121), Tf=b·γ/(a−γ). It matches published frost-point tables closely below freezing.
Why is the frost point higher than the dew point?
Ice holds vapor at a lower saturation pressure than supercooled water. So a given amount of vapor reaches saturation over ice at a warmer temperature than over water, placing the frost point above the dew point.

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