Human body temperature
Human body temperature is the internal temperature maintained by a healthy person under normal conditions.
How big is it?
37 °C
Also 98.6 °F
Temperature · defined reference
A little perspective
Human body temperature is 7.235 K warmer than Gallium melting plateau at standard pressure.
Gallium melting plateau at standard pressure: This is the temperature at which pure gallium changes from solid to liquid under normal atmospheric pressure.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Human body temperature
A 37 °C teaching reference. Actual readings vary with measurement site, time and individual; this is not a diagnostic threshold.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked temperature is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Gallium melting plateau at standard pressure
Gallium melts at about 302.9146 K (29.7646 °C) near standard pressure. Purity and pressure affect a realised plateau.
The marked equilibrium melting temperature near 101 kpa is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 37 °C
For comparison, this page uses temperature. This is labelled defined reference: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value.
A 37 °C teaching reference. Actual readings vary with measurement site, time and individual; this is not a diagnostic threshold.
The identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Human body temperature dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 °C | Not recorded | defined reference |
Around this scale
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These links use compatible temperature records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · TemperatureRoom temperature20 °CRoom temperature describes indoor air conditions generally considered comfortable for people and suitable for ordinary activities.Around the same scale · TemperatureA warm summer day30 °CA warm summer day is weather with outdoor air noticeably hotter than average, typical of summer in temperate regions.Nearest higher value · TemperatureA 39 °C reading39 °CA fever is a temporary rise in body temperature, commonly associated with the immune system responding to infection or inflammation.Sources and method
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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
More ways to see it
Curated comparisons
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
TemperatureAbsolute zero0 KAbsolute zero is the lowest temperature permitted by thermodynamics, where a system has the least thermal energy available to it.TemperatureRoom temperature20 °CRoom temperature describes indoor air conditions generally considered comfortable for people and suitable for ordinary activities.
SpaceSun1,391,000 kmThe Sun is the star at the centre of the Solar System.
Fundamental physicsPlanck temperature1.417 × 10³² KThe Planck temperature is a theoretical temperature scale at which quantum gravitational effects are expected to become important.TemperatureGallium melting plateau at standard pressure29.76 °CThis is the temperature at which pure gallium changes from solid to liquid under normal atmospheric pressure.TemperatureWater triple point0.01 °CThe water triple point is the unique temperature and pressure at which water can exist simultaneously as solid, liquid, and vapour in equilibrium.TemperatureA 39 °C reading39 °CA fever is a temporary rise in body temperature, commonly associated with the immune system responding to infection or inflammation.TemperatureA warm summer day30 °CA warm summer day is weather with outdoor air noticeably hotter than average, typical of summer in temperate regions.