The ideal temperature for a refrigerator is 37°F (2.8°C) . The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that the temperature of the refrigerator should be at or below 40°F (4.4°C) . However, it is important to note that the temperature controls on many refrigerators only allow you to choose from a series of numbers, usually 1 through 5, with 1 being the coldest and 5 being the warmest. Therefore, it is recommended to use a thermometer to ensure that the temperature is set correctly.

It is also important to set the freezer temperature correctly. The FDA recommends that the freezer should be set at 0°F (-18°C) . This temperature prevents the growth of bacteria, although it does not kill any bacteria already on the food.

In summary, the ideal temperature for a refrigerator is 37°F (2.8°C), but it should be set at or below 40°F (4.4°C) according to the FDA. The freezer should be set at 0°F (-18°C) to prevent the growth of bacteria. It is recommended to use a thermometer to ensure that the temperature is set correctly.