The average “normal” body temperature is around 98.6°F (37°C), but this can vary depending on age and other factors. Taking your temperature orally, rectally, or in the armpit can also impact your reading.
A body temperature reading above or below the average doesn’t automatically mean you’re sick. Several factors can influence your body temperature, including age, sex, time of day, and activity level.
Read on to learn about healthy body temperature ranges for babies, kids, adults, and older adults.
Your body’s ability to
People over the age of 64 generally have more trouble adjusting to sudden changes in temperature as quickly as younger people. In general, older people have more difficulty conserving heat. They’re also more likely to have lower body temperatures.
In children, the average temperature ranges between 97.9°F to 100.2°F (36.6°C to 37.9°C) when measured rectally, which is the primary recommended method
| Age | Oral | Rectal/Ear | Armpit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | 96–98°F (35.6–36.7°C) | 97–99°F (36.1–37.2°C) | 95–97°F (35–36.1°C) |
| Adults over age 65 | 93–98.6°F (33.9–37°C) | 94–99.6°F (34.4–37.6°C) | 92–97.6°F (33.3–36.4°C) |
Identifying your normal range can make knowing when you have a fever easier. Keep in mind that average body temperature
There are four different ways to take your or a family member’s temperature. However, the reading can vary from one method to the next.
The chart below shows which method is
| Age | Rectal | Temporal (forehead) | Oral | Tympanic (ear) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 3 months | X | |||
| 3–6 months | X | X | ||
| 6 months–3 years | X | X | X | |
| 4 years–teens | X | X | X | |
| Adults | X | X | X | |
| Older adults | X | X | X |
You may have had your temperature checked under your arm, in the armpit. This method isn’t as accurate and not recommended.
German doctor Carl Wunderlich identified the average body temperature of 98.6°F (37°C) during the 19th century. However, many studies have since determined that that isn’t always the case.
A 2019 study found that the average body temperature is 97.86°F (36.59°C), slightly lower than initially thought many years ago.
However, it’s best to take this information with a grain of salt since no single number defines your average body temperature. Instead, it’s best to look at a temperature range that may be higher or lower than the average.
Here are some of the factors that affect body temperature:
- time of day
- older age
- frequency of exercise
- weather
- location of temperature reading
hormone levels being overweight
A higher-than-normal thermometer reading can be a sign of a fever.
Fever is defined as a temperature of
If your temperature is elevated above the normal range described earlier in the article, you may have a fever. Generally, a reading that’s 2°F (1.1°C) above your normal temperature is usually a sign of a fever.
Fevers can be accompanied by other signs and symptoms, including sweating and chills, headache, and more.
Our bodies have a built-in temperature control system. This operation raises the body temperature in response to disease and infection, which you can sometimes fight without any intervention.
With time and rest, your body temperature will likely return to normal without treatment.
When should I call my doctor if I have a fever?
Often, a fever will go away on its own without treatment. However, you’ll want to seek medical advice if you have a fever and any of the following:
- trouble breathing or loss of consciousness
- severe pain
- skin rash
- swelling
- pain when urinating
- persistent cough
- confusion or sleepiness
- unexplained bleeding or bruising
- persistent diarrhea, vomiting, or both
- headache with a stiff neck
- feeling unwell
- fever that has lasted for more than 2 days
When it comes to children, speak with a doctor if:
- your infant is under 3 months old with a fever
- your child ages 3 months to 3 years and has a temperature of 102°F (38.9°C)
- your child is over 3 years old and has a temperature of 103°F (39.4°C).
- your child has a temperature over 104°F (40°C)
- your child is shivering for more than 30 minutes, is unable to move an arm or leg normally, appears dehydrated, has pain with urination, or looks very ill.
Learn more: Fever in babies.
Is 98.6 a regular temperature?
98.6 °F (37°C) is generally considered a normal temperature, though every person’s normal temperature is different and may be slightly lower or higher.
Is 96.8 an average temp?
Though 96.8 °F (36°C) might be considered a low temperature, normal temperature is a range. Most people’s normal temperature falls between about 97°F (36°C) and 99°F (37°C), but it could be a little higher or lower.
Is low temperature a kind of fever?
Temperature that’s too low is considered
Most people associate hypothermia with being outside in cold weather for long periods of time, but it can also occur indoors. Babies and
The average normal body temperature is commonly accepted to be 98.6°F (37°C), but this can fluctuate based on age and various factors. How you measure your temperature can also affect your reading.
That said, when you develop a fever, it usually goes away with rest. However, seek treatment if it becomes too high or lasts too long.
Be mindful of your temperature getting too low as well, as hypothermia can also be life threatening and should be treated immediately.
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.