Q10 Temperature Coefficient Calculator
How much faster a biological or chemical process runs when the temperature rises, using the Q10 coefficient — or the Q10 itself from two measured rates.
Results
The dashed line marks the value you entered.
What this tool does
Q10 is the factor by which a rate changes for a 10 °C rise. Many biological processes — respiration, enzyme activity, the growth of bacteria in food — have a Q10 between about 2 and 3 over their normal range, which is why food spoils roughly twice as fast for every ten degrees and why cold-blooded animals slow down in winter. Fill in Q10 to predict a rate, or fill in a second measured rate to find Q10. It only holds over a limited range: above an optimum, enzymes start to break down and rates fall.
Formula
R₂ = R₁ × Q10^((T₂ − T₁) ÷ 10) · Q10 = (R₂ ÷ R₁)^(10 ÷ (T₂ − T₁))
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
r1 | Rate at the first temperature | — |
t1 | First temperature | °C |
t2 | Second temperature | °C |
q | Q10 coefficient (if known) | — |
rm | Measured rate at the second temperature (to find Q10) | — |
R2 | Rate at the second temperature | — |
FA | Rate multiplied by | × |
QM | Q10 from the two rates | — |
Worked example
- Rate at the first temperature10
- First temperature20 °C
- Second temperature30 °C
- Q10 coefficient (if known)2
- Rate at the second temperature20.0000
- Rate multiplied by2.0000 ×
Limitations
- The formula assumes ideal conditions: no friction losses, no air resistance and no efficiency losses unless you enter them.
- The default values are typical reference figures, not measurements of your situation. Replace them with your own data whenever you have it.