Normal, Fever, and Low Human Body Temperature Ranges
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2016/01/05 - Updated: 2025/05/16
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Topic: Medical Calculators and Charts - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information provides a comprehensive overview of human body temperature ranges, detailing what constitutes normal, fever, and hypothermic readings for various age groups and measurement sites. It explains the physiological factors influencing temperature, such as time of day, activity level, and menstrual cycle, and offers clear guidance on how to accurately measure temperature using different methods, including oral, rectal, ear, armpit, and forehead readings.
The article is particularly valuable for caregivers, seniors, and individuals with disabilities who may need to monitor temperature more closely due to health vulnerabilities, and it includes specific thresholds for fever in the context of COVID-19. Authoritative and well-referenced, the information draws on standards from reputable organizations like the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics, making it a reliable resource for anyone needing to interpret temperature readings or recognize when medical attention is necessary - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Did you know normal human body temperature is also known as normothermia or euthermia? And your body temperature can be measured in many locations, including the mouth, ear, armpit, forehead, and rectum? However, it is worth noting that your body temperature reading will vary depending on where the measurement is taken. The armpit is about 0.5C lower than the human body's core temperature (temperature of the internal organs) - the time of day, your age, and activity level, and, in women, the stage of the menstrual cycle can also affect your temperature reading.
Focus
Core Body Temperature Ranges and Symptoms
🟩 Normal Body Temperature Range
| Temperature (°C / °F) | Description |
|---|---|
| 36.5–37.6 °C (97.7–99.7 °F) | Typical normal body temperature. Varies slightly by individual, time of day, and measurement method. |
🟦 Cold Body Temperature Range (Hypothermia)
| Temperature (°C / °F) | Symptoms and Notes |
|---|---|
| 36 °C (96.8 °F) | Mild cold. May cause shivering, especially during sleep. Can still be normal. |
| 35 °C (95 °F) | Hypothermia threshold. Intense shivering, numbness, bluish/gray skin, heart risks. |
| 34 °C (93.2 °F) | Severe shivering, confusion, and loss of movement in fingers. Behavioral changes. |
| 33 °C (91.4 °F) | Confusion, sluggish reflexes, slow heartbeat, shallow breathing. |
| 32 °C (89.6 °F) | Medical emergency. Hallucinations, delirium, coma risk. |
| 31 °C (87.8 °F) | Comatose or nearly unconscious. Weak reflexes. Heart risk. |
| 28 °C (82.4 °F) | Heart rhythm may fail. Breathing may stop at any time. |
| 24–26 °C (75.2–78.8 °F) | Usually fatal due to cardiac/respiratory arrest. Rare survival at 13.7 °C (56.7 °F). |
🟥 Fever Body Temperature Range (Hyperthermia)
| Temperature (°C / °F) | Symptoms and Notes |
|---|---|
| 41 °C (105.8 °F) | Medical emergency. Dizziness, fainting, confusion, rapid heartbeat, possible delirium. |
| 42 °C (107.6 °F) | Flushed skin, potential coma, convulsions, life-threatening. |
| 43 °C (109.4 °F) | Extreme danger. Risk of brain damage, shock, and collapse. |
| 44 °C (111.2 °F) or more | Almost always fatal. Rare survival reported up to 46.5 °C (115.7 °F). |
°C to °F and °F to °C Body Temperature Conversion Chart
- 35.0 °C = 95.0 °F
- 35.1 °C = 95.2 °F
- 35.2 °C = 95.4 °F
- 35.3 °C = 95.6 °F
- 35.4 °C = 95.8 °F
- 35.6 °C = 96.0 °F
- 35.7 °C = 96.2 °F
- 35.8 °C = 96.4 °F
- 35.9 °C = 96.6 °F
- 36.0 °C = 96.8 °F
- 36.1 °C = 97.0 °F
- 36.2 °C = 97.2 °F
- 36.3 °C = 97.4 °F
- 36.4 °C = 97.6 °F
- 36.5 °C = 97.7 °F
- 36.6 °C = 97.8 °F
- 36.7 °C = 98.0 °F
- 36.8 °C = 98.2 °F
- 36.9 °C = 98.4 °F
- 37.0 °C = 98.6 °F
- 37.1 °C = 98.8 °F
- 37.2 °C = 99.0 °F
- 37.3 °C = 99.2 °F
- 37.4 °C = 99.4 °F
- 37.6 °C = 99.6 °F
- 37.7 °C = 99.8 °F
- 37.8 °C = 100.0 °F
- 37.9 °C = 100.2 °F
- 38.0 °C = 100.4 °F
- 38.1 °C = 100.6 °F
- 38.2 °C = 100.8 °F
- 38.3 °C = 101.0 °F
- 38.4 °C = 101.2 °F
- 38.6 °C = 101.4 °F
- 38.7 °C = 101.6 °F
- 38.8 °C = 101.8 °F
- 38.9 °C = 102.0 °F
- 39.0 °C = 102.2 °F
- 39.1 °C = 102.4 °F
- 39.2 °C = 102.6 °F
- 39.3 °C = 102.8 °F
- 39.4 °C = 103.0 °F
- 39.6 °C = 103.2 °F
- 39.7 °C = 103.4 °F
- 39.8 °C = 103.6 °F
- 39.9 °C = 103.8 °F
- 40.0 °C = 104.0 °F
- 40.1 °C = 104.2 °F
- 40.2 °C = 104.4 °F
- 40.3 °C = 104.6 °F
- 40.4 °C = 104.8 °F
- 40.6 °C = 105.0 °F
- 40.7 °C = 105.2 °F
- 40.8 °C = 105.4 °F
- 40.9 °C = 105.6 °F
- 41.0 °C = 105.8 °F
- 41.1 °C = 106.0 °F
- 41.2 °C = 106.2 °F
- 41.3 °C = 106.4 °F
- 41.4 °C = 106.6 °F
- 41.6 °C = 106.8 °F
COVID-19 Fever Statistics
According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
- 38.1% of cases reported fatigue.
- 67.7% of cases that reported dry cough
- 87.9% of 55,924 laboratory-confirmed cases reported a fever.
COVID-19 Fever Levels
- Children: 38 °C (100.4 °F) and above (rectal temperature)
- Adults: 38 °C (100.4 °F) and above (oral temperature)
- Older adults: 37.8 °C (100 °F) and above (oral temperature)
- Or 1.1 °C above the person's usual value.
It's important to clarify that not all COVID-19 cases will get a fever, nor will everyone with a fever test positive for COVID-19, but it is a prevalent symptom.
Quick Facts:
- Body temperature can change throughout the day.
- Body temperature may be abnormal due to fever (high temperature) or hypothermia (low temperature).
- A temperature over 38 °C (100.4 °F) most often means you have a fever caused by infection or illness.
- It is generally medically accepted that normal body temperature ranges between 36.5 °C (97.7 °F) to 37.5 °C (99.5 °F).
Body Temperature Can Be Taken Either:
- Orally - By mouth - glass thermometer, or a digital thermometer.
- Rectally - Temperatures taken rectally tend to be 0.5 to 0.7 degrees F HIGHER than when taken by mouth.
- Forehead (Skin) - A special thermometer can quickly measure the skin's temperature on the forehead.
- Ear - A special thermometer can quickly measure the temperature of the eardrum, which reflects the body's core temperature.
- Axillary - Temperature taken under the arm (armpit) tends to be 0.3 to 0.4 degrees F LOWER than those taken by mouth.
What is the Normal Body Temperature for a Baby?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states the normal body temperature for a healthy baby is between 97 and 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit (37.94 °C). If the rectal temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, they are considered to have a fever.
What is the Normal Body Temperature for Children?
The average body temperature for children is about 37 °C (98.6 °F). A child's temperature usually averages from around 36.3 °C (97.4 °F) in the morning to 37.6 °C (99.6 °F) in the afternoon.
What is the Normal Body Temperature for Adults?
- Temperature in the mouth (oral) is about 36.8 °C (98.2 °F)
- Temperature under the arm (axillary) is about 36.5 °C (97.7 °F)
- Temperature in the anus (rectum/rectal), vagina, or in-ear (otic) is about 37.5 °C (99.5 °F)
At What Temperature Are You said to Have a Fever?
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, a fever is indicated when body temperature rises about one degree or more over the normal temperature of 37.0 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
Adults:
A fever is generally agreed to be present if:
- Temperature in the mouth (oral) is at or over 37.8 °C (100 °F)
- Temperature under the arm (axillary) is at or over 37.2 °C (99.0 °F)
- Temperature in the anus (rectum/rectal), in the ear (otic) or temporal artery temperature of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher
Children:
A child is considered to have a fever if their rectal temperature is 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher - or a child's armpit temperature is 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) or higher.
What is Basal Body Temperature?
Basal body temperature is defined as the lowest temperature attained by the human body during rest (usually during sleep). Basal body temperature is generally measured immediately after awakening, although the temperature measured at that time is somewhat higher than the actual basal body temperature. In women, body temperature will differ at various points in the menstrual cycle, and this temperature change can be used to track ovulation to aid conception or avoid pregnancy.
What is Core Body Temperature?
Core temperature is the operating temperature of an organism, specifically in deep structures, such as the liver, compared to temperatures of peripheral tissues. Core temperature is normally maintained within a narrow range, so essential enzymatic reactions can occur.
What is Hyperpyrexia?
The word used for a fever with an extreme elevation of body temperature greater than or equal to 41.5 °C (106.7 °F).
What is Hyperthermia?
A high temperature that is not a fever. Causes include heatstroke, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, idiosyncratic drug reactions, malignant hyperthermia, stimulants like amphetamines or cocaine, and serotonin syndrome.
What Body Temperature Denotes Hypothermia?
Hypothermia is defined as a drop in body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 °C). Hypothermia can quickly become life-threatening and should be treated as a medical emergency. Hypothermia is the opposite of hyperthermia, which is present in heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Normal Human Body and Fever Temperature Chart
Printable Celsius to Fahrenheit Body Temperature Conversion Table
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Understanding the nuances of body temperature is more than just a matter of numbers-it's a crucial aspect of health management, especially for those at increased risk, such as the elderly or people with disabilities. This article demystifies the complexities of temperature readings and provides practical, actionable information that can help individuals and caregivers make informed decisions about when to seek medical advice. In a world where timely intervention can make all the difference, having access to clear, authoritative guidance is invaluable - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is an Australian-born writer, editor, and advocate who currently resides in Montreal, Canada. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.