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 · defined interior temperature
Also 39.2 °F
Defined interior temperature · defined reference
Typical recorded range: 0 °C to 5 °C.
A little perspective
Food refrigerator interior vs Water triple point: temperature comparison
The interior temperature of the interior of a food refrigerator is 3.99 K higher than the water triple point.
Food refrigerator interior refers to the air temperature inside a fridge, maintained to keep food safe and slow spoilage.
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
Defined interior temperature: 4 °C; defined reference; range 0 °C–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.
US FDA — Refrigerator and freezer storage
The marked defined interior temperature is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Water triple point
Triple-point temperature: 0.01 °C; specified.
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.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 4 °C
We compare the interior temperature of the interior of a food refrigerator. This is an illustrative comparison value, not a claim that every example is the same. 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 °C | 0 °C to 5 °C | 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 valueTemperatureFreezing water0 °CTemperatureFreezing water is liquid water at the temperature where it begins to turn into ice under normal pressure.Around the same scaleTemperatureWater triple point0.01 °CTriple-point temperatureThe water triple point is the unique temperature and pressure at which water can exist simultaneously as solid, liquid, and vapour in equilibrium.Nearest higher valueTemperatureRoom temperature20 °CTemperatureRoom 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.