Bath Water Temperature Chart

How warm should bath water be? Safe temperatures for baby baths, adult baths, hot tubs and your water heater — plus how quickly hot water can scald.

Recommended water temperatures

Use	Temperature
Baby bath	98–100 °F (37–38 °C)
Children’s bath	98–102 °F (37–39 °C)
Adult bath / shower	98–105 °F (37–41 °C)
Hot tub (maximum)	104 °F (40 °C)
Water heater setting	120 °F (49 °C)
Cold plunge	50–59 °F (10–15 °C)

Time for hot water to cause a serious burn (adult skin)

Water temperature	Time
120 °F (49 °C)	About 5 minutes
125 °F (52 °C)	About 2 minutes
130 °F (54 °C)	About 30 seconds
140 °F (60 °C)	About 5 seconds
150 °F (66 °C)	About 2 seconds
160 °F (71 °C)	About 1 second

Notes

Children’s and older people’s skin burns faster than these adult times. Always test bath water with a thermometer or your wrist or elbow before putting a baby in; 37–38 °C (98.6–100 °F) feels warm but not hot. Setting your water heater to 120 °F (49 °C) is recommended to reduce scald risk and energy use. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends hot tubs never exceed 104 °F (40 °C).

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should a baby’s bath be?

About 37–38 °C (98.6–100 °F).

What is the maximum safe hot tub temperature?

104 °F (40 °C).

What temperature causes scalding?

Water at 140 °F (60 °C) can cause a serious burn in about 5 seconds.

What should my water heater be set to?

120 °F (49 °C) for most homes.