Fever Ranges, 12 and Older

Temperature varies a little depending on how you measure it. For adults and children age 12 and older, these are the ranges for high, moderate, and mild, according to how you took the temperature.

Oral (by mouth) temperature

• High:104°F (40°C) and higher
• Moderate:100.4°F (38°C) to103.9°F (39.9°C)
• Mild:100.3°F (37.9°C) and lower

A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature.

Ear or rectal temperature

• High:105°F (40.6°C) and higher
• Moderate:101.4°F (38.6°C) to104.9°F (40.5°C)
• Mild:101.3°F (38.5°C) and lower

Armpit (axillary) temperature

• High: 103°F (39.5°C) and higher
• Moderate:99.4°F (37.4°C) to102.9°F (39.4°C)
• Mild: 99.3°F (37.3°C) and lower