What is the normal human body temperature?

Normal body temperature is not a specific value but rather a range.

Normal body temperature varies slightly among individuals and may fluctuate slightly due to internal and external factors. Additionally, because children’s thermoregulatory systems are not yet fully developed, their thermoregulatory capacity is relatively poor, making their body temperature more susceptible to ambient temperature changes.

Clinically, oral, rectal, and axillary temperatures are commonly used as representative measurements. In adults, the normal oral temperature ranges from 36.3°C to 37.2°C; the normal rectal temperature ranges from 36.6°C to 37.6°C; and the normal axillary temperature ranges from 36.0°C to 37.0°C. Temperatures exceeding these ranges indicate fever. In children, the normal oral temperature ranges from 36.2°C to 37.3°C; the normal rectal temperature ranges from 36.5°C to 37.5°C; and the normal axillary temperature ranges from 35.9°C to 37.2°C.

Furthermore, normal body temperature varies with age in children; generally, younger children have relatively higher baseline body temperatures.