Normal body temperature varies depending on several factors such as age, sex, height, weight, and time of day. The average normal body temperature is generally accepted as 98.6°F (37°C) . However, more recent studies suggest that the baseline for most people is closer to 98.2°F and that the "normal" body temperature can have a wide range, from 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C) . It is usually lower in the morning and goes up during the day, peaking in the late afternoon or evening, sometimes by as much as 1 or 2 degrees.

It is important to note that not everyones "normal" body temperature is the same, and it can vary by a whole degree from someone elses. A persons temperature reading changes based on where on the body it is measured. Underarm readings can be a degree lower than what youd find from your mouth, while rectal temperatures usually are up to a degree higher than mouth readings.

A body temperature higher than your normal range is a fever, and anything above 100.4°F is considered a fever. On the other hand, a temperature below 97°F is considered too low for babies. It is important to check your temperature more often if you feel sick or if you think you might have come into contact with an illness such as COVID-19.