Body temperature: Normal ranges in adults and children

Normal body temperatures vary depending on many factors, including a person’s age, sex, and activity levels.The normal body temperature for an adult is around 98.6°F (37°C), but every person’s baseline body temperature is slightly different, and may consistently be a little higher or lower.In this article, we discuss the normal ranges of temperature for adults, children, and babies. Rectal readings are higher than oral readings, while armpit readings tend to be lower.The table below gives the normal ranges of body temperature for adults and children according to a thermometer manufacturer:Normal body temperature readings will vary within these ranges depending on the following factors:A normal adult body temperature, when taken orally, can range from 97.6–99.6°F, though different sources may give slightly different figures.In adults, the following temperatures suggest that someone has a fever:Researchers have looked into the individual differences between people’s normal body temperatures.