Fever Temperatures: Accuracy And Comparison - PeaceHealth

Skip to main content

1. Home
2. Health Information Library
3. Fever Temperatures: Accuracy and Comparison

1. Taking Your Child's Temperature

Fever Temperatures: Accuracy and Comparison

Overview

You can take a temperature using the mouth (oral), anus (rectal), armpit (axillary), ear (tympanic), or forehead (temporal). But the temperature readings vary depending on which one you use. And you need an accurate measurement to know if a fever is present.

Medical research hasn't found an exact correlation between oral, rectal, ear, armpit, and forehead temperature measurements. In general, here's how the temperatures compare:

• The average normal oral temperature is 98.6 °F (37 °C).
• A rectal temperature is 0.5° F (0.3° C) to 1° F (0.6° C) higher than an oral temperature. A rectal temperature is generally thought to be the most accurate for checking a baby's temperature.
• An ear (tympanic) temperature is 0.5° F (0.3° C) to 1° F (0.6° C) higher than an oral temperature.
• An armpit (axillary) temperature is usually 0.5° F (0.3° C) to 1° F (0.6° C) lower than an oral temperature.
• A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.5° F (0.3° C) to 1° F (0.6° C) lower than an oral temperature.

Related Information

• Fever or Chills, Age 11 and Younger
• Fever or Chills, Age 12 and Older
• Vital Signs in Children

Credits

Current as of: July 1, 2025

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review BoardAll Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Top of the page

Next Section:

Related Information »

Previous Section:

« Overview Top of the page

Next Section:

Credits »

Previous Section:

« Related Information Top of the page

Current as of: July 1, 2025

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardAll Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

 

Topic Contents

• Overview
• Related Information
• Credits

 

PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.

Health Information Library

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.

© 2024-2025 Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

Related Services at PeaceHealth

• 

  Pediatric Primary and Specialty Care