Metal feels cold because it conducts heat extremely well. Since room temperature is lower than your body temperature, metal will quickly absorb the heat from your skin, making it feel cold. ... Different kinds of metal will transfer heat at different rates, making some kinds feel colder than others.

Why is metal colder than the air?

Keyword: Thermal Conductivity

The rate at which this happens is determined by a parameter called thermal conductivity. Metals are typically good heat conductors, which is why metal appears colder than air, even though the temperature is the same.

Does steel keep things cold?

Even though metals conduct heat faster than plastics, experiments suggest that liquids in metal containers stay cold about as long as they do in opaque or semi-transparent plastic ones.