Q10 Temperature Coefficient Calculator
Find how strongly a biological rate depends on temperature.
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Q10
Q10
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Rate at T₂
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Equivalent activation energy (kJ/mol)
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Q10 Temperature Coefficient Calculator by TheCalcTools
How the Q10 Temperature Coefficient Calculator works
Q10 is the factor by which a rate increases for a 10 °C rise in temperature. Many enzyme and metabolic rates have Q10 between 2 and 3; purely physical processes such as diffusion are closer to 1.
It is related to the Arrhenius activation energy over the same temperature range.
The formula
Q10 = (R₂ ÷ R₁)^(10 ÷ (T₂ − T₁)); R₂ = R₁ × Q10^((T₂ − T₁) ÷ 10)
Worked example
Using the default values shown in the calculator:
| Find | Q10 from two rates |
|---|---|
| Rate R₁ | 12 |
| Temperature T₁ (°C) | 20 |
| Temperature T₂ (°C) | 30 |
| Rate R₂ | 26 |
| Q10 | 2 |
- (26 ÷ 12)^(10 ÷ 10) = 2.167.
Result:
| Q10 | 2.167 |
|---|---|
| Rate at T₂ | 26.000 |
| Equivalent activation energy (kJ/mol) | 57.1 |
Frequently asked questions
Does Q10 stay constant?
Only roughly. It changes with temperature and drops sharply when enzymes start to denature at high temperature.
Sources and further reading
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. Check important results independently before you rely on them. See our disclaimer.