Food refrigerator interior
Food refrigerator interior refers to the air temperature inside a fridge, maintained to keep food safe and slow spoilage.
Also known as: refrigerator temperature, fridge interior temperature
How big is it?
4 °C
Also 39.2 °F
Defined interior temperature · defined reference
Typical recorded range: 0 °C to 5 °C.
A little perspective
Food refrigerator interior is 3.99 K warmer than Water triple point.
Water triple point: The water triple point is the unique temperature and pressure at which water can exist simultaneously as solid, liquid, and vapour in equilibrium.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Food refrigerator interior
A defined 4 °C refrigerator-interior reference within food-safety guidance. Real cabinet temperature varies by shelf, loading, door opening, thermostat cycle and instrument placement.
US FDA — Refrigerator and freezer storage
The marked defined interior temperature is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Water triple point
The triple point of water is 273.16 K for a specified isotopic composition at its equilibrium pressure. It is distinct from ordinary freezing water at atmospheric pressure.
IAPWS — Fundamental physical constants of water
The marked triple-point temperature is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 4 °C
For comparison, this page uses defined interior temperature. This is labelled defined reference: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value. The recorded range is 0 °C to 5 °C.
A defined 4 °C refrigerator-interior reference within food-safety guidance. Real cabinet temperature varies by shelf, loading, door opening, thermostat cycle and instrument placement.
The identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Food refrigerator interior dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 °C | 0 °C to 5 °C | defined reference |
Around this scale
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These links use compatible temperature records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · TemperatureFreezing water0 °CFreezing water is liquid water at the temperature where it begins to turn into ice under normal pressure.Around the same scale · 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.Nearest higher value · TemperatureRoom temperature20 °CRoom temperature describes indoor air conditions generally considered comfortable for people and suitable for ordinary activities.Sources and method
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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- US FDA — Refrigerator and freezer storageFood refrigerators should be kept at or below 40 °F (4 °C); cabinet temperatures vary spatially and over the thermostat cycle.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
TemperatureRoom temperature20 °CRoom temperature describes indoor air conditions generally considered comfortable for people and suitable for ordinary activities.TemperatureFreezing water0 °CFreezing water is liquid water at the temperature where it begins to turn into ice under normal 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.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 freezing winter day-10 °CA freezing winter day is weather cold enough for outdoor water to turn to ice.TemperatureA warm summer day30 °CA warm summer day is weather with outdoor air noticeably hotter than average, typical of summer in temperate regions.TemperatureHuman body temperature37 °CHuman body temperature is the internal temperature maintained by a healthy person under normal conditions.TemperatureA 39 °C reading39 °CA fever is a temporary rise in body temperature, commonly associated with the immune system responding to infection or inflammation.