Q10 Temperature Coefficient Calculator
Compute Q10 from reaction or metabolic rates at two temperatures, or predict a rate at a new temperature from a known Q10.
How it works
Q10 = (R₂ ÷ R₁)^(10 ÷ (T₂ − T₁)) · R₂ = R₁ × Q10^((T₂ − T₁) ÷ 10)
Q10 is the factor by which a rate multiplies for a 10 °C rise. Most enzyme-driven processes — respiration, heart rate in ectotherms, development time — have a Q10 of 2 to 3, meaning they double or triple per 10 °C. Physical processes like diffusion sit near 1.2. It holds only within an organism’s normal range; above the thermal optimum enzymes denature and the rate collapses.
Worked example
Rate 2.4 at 20 °C and 5.3 at 30 °C: (5.3/2.4)^(10/10) = 2.21.
Frequently asked questions
Can Q10 be below 1?
Yes — when a rate falls with temperature, for example oxygen solubility in water or photosynthesis above its optimum.
What about the Arrhenius equation?
Q10 is a convenient approximation of Arrhenius over a narrow range; the activation energy Ea ≈ R·T₁·T₂·ln(Q10)/10.
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For teaching and planning — verify against your lab protocol and instrument documentation.