How Accurate Is My Thermometer?

Kids get sick a ton. How concerned or unconcerned should we be about getting a cheapish digital instant-read thermometer? I’ve read a lot of comments about inaccurate readings for instant-read forehead thermometers but also difficulties with an in-ear one (and some cost close to $100, which is possibly worth it?). I just want to take my kid’s temperature easily, accurately, and quickly without bothering them too much.
—Feverish about thermometer accuracy

One of the best things our pediatrician ever told us (backed by data) is that you do not have to worry very much about temperature accuracy. It doesn’t matter if the fever is 102° or 103° or even 104°. Unless you are too extensively bundled up in hot clothing, your body cannot overheat from a fever.

It is useful to know if your child has a fever for a couple of reasons. One is to know if you can send them to school. The second is to know if the fever goes down with medication. Even the latter, however, is often better judged by mood than by fever in particular. If your kid is feeling poorly and then you give them some Tylenol and they feel better, it worked.

A blue and white digital thermometer sits on a pink background. — Getty Images

Nearly any thermometer that you have will have enough information for you to distinguish between broad categories: no fever, low fever, high fever. This is enough.

Therefore, you should be happy to give up some accuracy for convenience. Personally, we like the in-ear thermometer. It’s fast, it’s moderately accurate, and by now my kids can do it themselves. Yes, it gives different temperatures in each ear. Try not to worry about it.