A low-grade fever is generally considered a body temperature slightly above normal but not very high. Definitions vary slightly among experts, but the common ranges are:
- Between about 99.5°F (37.5°C) and 100.3°F (38.3°C)
- Some sources define low-grade fever as between 100.4°F (38°C) and 102.2°F (39°C)
- Another common definition is a temperature higher than 98.6°F but below 100.4°F (38°C)
Normal body temperature averages around 98.6°F (37°C) but varies by individual, time of day, and measurement method
. Temperatures above the normal range but below approximately 100.4°F (38°C) are typically considered low-grade fevers. Such fevers often indicate the body is fighting a mild infection or inflammation and usually do not require treatment unless accompanied by other concerning symptoms
. In summary, a low-grade fever is usually a temperature from about 99.5°F up to around 100.3–100.4°F (37.5–38.3°C), sometimes extended up to about 102.2°F depending on the source, but most commonly it is below 100.4°F
