Boiling water
Boiling water is water heated until it changes rapidly from liquid to steam at standard atmospheric pressure.
How big is it?
100 °C · temperature
Also 212 °F
Temperature · defined reference
A little perspective
Boiling water vs Gallium melting plateau at standard pressure: temperature comparison
The temperature of boiling water is 70.24 K higher than the equilibrium melting temperature near 101 kPa of the melting plateau of gallium at standard pressure.
Boiling water is water heated until it changes rapidly from liquid to steam at standard atmospheric pressure.
This is the temperature at which pure gallium changes from solid to liquid under normal atmospheric pressure.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Boiling water
Temperature: 100 °C; defined reference.
Fresh water at approximately one standard atmosphere. Altitude and pressure change the boiling point.
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.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 100 °C
We compare the temperature of boiling water. This is an illustrative comparison value, not a claim that every example is the same.
Fresh water at approximately one standard atmosphere. Altitude and pressure change the boiling point.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 °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 39 °C reading39 °CTemperatureA fever is a temporary rise in body temperature, commonly associated with the immune system responding to infection or inflammation.Nearest higher valueTemperatureHot oven200 °CTemperatureA hot oven is a kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting food at elevated temperatures.Sources and method
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Curated comparisons
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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.TemperatureA 39 °C reading39 °CA fever is a temporary rise in body temperature, commonly associated with the immune system responding to infection or inflammation.TemperatureHuman body temperature37 °CHuman body temperature is the internal temperature maintained by a healthy person under normal conditions.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.