Human body temperature
Human body temperature is the internal temperature maintained by a healthy person under normal conditions.
How big is it?
37 °C · temperature
Also 98.6 °F
Temperature · defined reference
A little perspective
Human body temperature vs Gallium melting plateau at standard pressure: temperature comparison
Human body temperature is 7.235 K higher than the equilibrium melting temperature near 101 kPa of the melting plateau of gallium at standard pressure.
Human body temperature is the internal temperature maintained by a healthy person under normal conditions.
This is the temperature at which pure gallium changes from solid to liquid under normal atmospheric pressure.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Human body temperature
Temperature: 37 °C; defined reference.
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
Equilibrium melting temperature near 101 kPa: 29.76 °C; specified; range 29.75 °C–29.77 °C.
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.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
Change your perspective
Put it next to…
Choose a suggestion to redraw the comparison, or open its page to learn what it is.
Why this measurement?
Why we use 37 °C
We compare human body temperature. This is an illustrative comparison value, not a claim that every example is the same.
A 37 °C teaching reference. Actual readings vary with measurement site, time and individual; this is not a diagnostic threshold.
The picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 °C | Not recorded | defined reference |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valueTemperatureRoom temperature20 °CTemperatureRoom temperature describes indoor air conditions generally considered comfortable for people and suitable for ordinary activities.Around the same scaleTemperatureA warm summer day30 °CTemperatureA warm summer day is weather with outdoor air noticeably hotter than average, typical of summer in temperate regions.Nearest higher valueTemperatureA 39 °C reading39 °CTemperatureA fever is a temporary rise in body temperature, commonly associated with the immune system responding to infection or inflammation.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
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.