Normal Human Temperature

Normal human temperature

Normal human body temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), though it can range between approximately 36°C and 37.4°C (97° to 99°F) – and vary by individual, age, activity level, and time of day.

General Temperature Guidelines

Normal body temperature can be influenced by several factors:

• Age: Infants and young children typically have a slightly higher average temperature than adults.
• Time of day: Body temperature is often lowest in the early morning and highest in the late afternoon or early evening.
• Method of measurement: Readings can differ depending on where the temperature is taken (e.g. oral, armpit, ear).

Fever and When to Seek Medical Help

A high temperature, or fever, is usually a sign that the body is fighting an infection.

• For adults: A fever is generally a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or above.
• For children: A high temperature is generally considered to be 38°C (100.4°F) or above.

You should seek medical advice if an adult’s fever lasts for more than three days, goes above 40°C, or is accompanied by severe symptoms like rigors (shaking), confusion or difficulty breathing – or a rash.

For children, specific guidelines apply based on age and accompanying symptoms, available on the NHS website.