Fever Temperatures: Accuracy and Comparison
Overview
You can take a temperature using the mouth (oral), anus (rectal), armpit (axillary), or ear (tympanic). But the temperature readings vary depending on which one you use, and you need an accurate body temperature to determine if a fever is present.
Medical research hasn't determined an exact correlation between oral, rectal, ear, armpit, and forehead temperature measurements. Generally, the correlation of temperature results are as follows:
- The average normal oral temperature is 37 °C (98.6 °F).
- A rectal temperature is 0.3 °C (0.5 °F) to 0.6 °C (1 °F) higher than an oral temperature.
- An ear (tympanic) temperature is 0.3 °C (0.5 °F) to 0.6 °C (1 °F) higher than an oral temperature.
- An armpit (axillary) temperature is usually 0.3 °C (0.5 °F) to 0.6 °C (1 °F) lower than an oral temperature.
- A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.3 °C (0.5 °F) to 0.6 °C (1 °F) lower than an oral temperature.
It is important to remember:
- Rectal temperatures are generally thought to be the most accurate for checking a young child's temperature.
- The manufacturer of the temperature device you use, such as an ear or forehead thermometer, provides information on how to use it. Be sure to read and follow the instructions to obtain an accurate temperature. The information may also include how the results of the device correlate with the results from other methods of taking a temperature.
- Plastic strip thermometers have some uses, but they aren't recommended for general home use. Unlike oral, rectal, and ear thermometers, plastic strip thermometers measure skin temperature, not body temperature.
When you talk with your doctor about your temperature, be sure to say what method was used to take the temperature.
Temperature comparison table
The temperature comparison table below will give you the range of temperature correlation with the different methods used to take a temperature. For information about taking accurate temperatures in infants and children, see the topic Body Temperature.
To use the table:
- Find the method that you used to take a temperature.
- Find the correct temperature range.
- Look for the temperature range of the other methods that correlates to the method you used. For example:
- If your 2-year-old child's oral temperature is 38.3 °C (101 °F), his or her rectal or ear temperature may be about 38.9 °C (102 °F). Remember, a child has a fever when his or her temperature is 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher, measured rectally.
- If your axillary temperature is 37.8 °C (100 °F), your oral temperature is about 38.3 °C (101 °F).
Comparison of temperatures in Centigrade by methodAxillary/Forehead (°C) | Oral (°C) | Rectal/Ear (°C) |
|---|
36.9–37.4 |
37.5–37.7 |
38–38.3 |
37.5–38.4 |
37.8–38.5 |
38.4–39.1 |
38.5–38.9 |
38.6–39.1 |
39.2–39.7 |
39–39.5 |
39.2–39.7 |
39.8–40.3 |
39.6–40 |
39.8–40.3 |
40.4–40.9 |
Comparison of temperatures in Fahrenheit by methodAxillary/Forehead (°F) | Oral (°F) | Rectal/Ear (°F) |
|---|
98.4–99.3 |
99.5–99.9 |
100.4–101 |
99.4–101.1 |
100–101.5 |
101.1–102.4 |
101.2–102 |
101.6–102.4 |
102.5–103.5 |
102.1–103.1 |
102.5–103.5 |
103.6–104.6 |
103.2–104 |
103.6–104.6 |
104.7–105.6 |
Credits
Current as of: February 27, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
David Messenger MD - Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Medicine
Current as of: February 27, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & David Messenger MD - Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Medicine
