How to Check CPU Temperature on Windows and Mac
Monitoring your CPU temperature is crucial for preventing overheating, maintaining performance, and extending your computer’s lifespan. Whether you’re gaming, running intensive workloads, or just want to make sure your cooling system is working properly, here’s how to check your CPU temp on any computer in 2026.
What Is a Normal CPU Temperature?
Before checking your temps, it helps to know what’s normal. When idle or doing light tasks like web browsing, your CPU should be between 30°C and 50°C (86°F–122°F). Under moderate load like photo editing or multitasking, expect 50°C to 70°C (122°F–158°F). During heavy loads like gaming or video rendering, 70°C to 85°C (158°F–185°F) is typical. Temperatures above 90°C (194°F) are concerning and above 100°C (212°F) can cause thermal throttling or damage.
Method 1: Check CPU Temp with Core Temp (Windows)
Core Temp is a free, lightweight program that shows real-time CPU temperatures. Download Core Temp from alcpu.com/CoreTemp. Install and open the application. You’ll see the current temperature for each CPU core displayed on the main window. The "Max" column shows the highest temperature recorded since you opened the program, which is useful for checking temps during gaming or stress tests.
Method 2: Check CPU Temp with HWMonitor (Windows)
HWMonitor provides a comprehensive view of all your system temperatures, not just the CPU. Download HWMonitor from cpuid.com. Install and launch the program. Expand the section with your processor’s name to see individual core temperatures, along with minimum, current, and maximum values. You’ll also see GPU temperature, motherboard temperature, and hard drive temperatures.
Method 3: Check CPU Temp in BIOS/UEFI
You can check CPU temperature without installing any software by entering your BIOS. Restart your computer and press the BIOS key during boot — usually Delete, F2, F10, or F12 depending on your motherboard manufacturer. Navigate to a section called Hardware Monitor, PC Health, or System Information. Your CPU temperature will be displayed there. Note that this shows idle temperature since no programs are running in the BIOS.
Method 4: Check CPU Temp on Mac
On Mac, you’ll need a third-party app since macOS doesn’t have a built-in temperature monitor. Fanny is a free menu bar widget — download it from fannywidget.com. It shows CPU and GPU temperature right in your menu bar. For more detail, iStat Menus is a paid app that provides comprehensive system monitoring including CPU temperature, fan speeds, and more. You can also use Terminal with the command sudo powermetrics --samplers smc to see thermal data, though the output is technical.
Method 5: Use Task Manager to Spot Overheating Signs (Windows)
While Task Manager doesn’t show CPU temperature directly, it can help you identify overheating issues. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and click the Performance tab. Watch the CPU graph — if your CPU speed drops below its base clock speed during heavy tasks, that’s a sign of thermal throttling, which means your CPU is overheating and slowing itself down to cool off.
What to Do If Your CPU Is Overheating
If you’re seeing temperatures consistently above 85°C during normal use, clean out dust from your computer’s fans and heatsink using compressed air. Make sure all fans are spinning properly. Reapply thermal paste if your computer is more than 2–3 years old — dried-out thermal paste is a common cause of high temperatures. Improve airflow by managing cables inside your case and making sure vents aren’t blocked. Consider upgrading your CPU cooler if the stock cooler isn’t enough.
How to Monitor CPU Temperature While Gaming
For real-time temperature monitoring during games, use MSI Afterburner with RivaTuner Statistics Server. This combo displays a temperature overlay directly in your game. Set up MSI Afterburner to show CPU temperature in the on-screen display settings, then launch your game — you’ll see temps in real time without alt-tabbing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 80°C too hot for a CPU? No, 80°C under load is within normal range for most processors. It becomes concerning above 90°C.
Why is my CPU so hot at idle? Common causes include dried thermal paste, a dusty heatsink, a malfunctioning fan, or background processes using too much CPU.
Can high CPU temps damage my computer? Modern CPUs have thermal protection that throttles speed or shuts down before damage occurs, but sustained high temps can reduce lifespan.
Do laptops run hotter than desktops? Yes, due to smaller cooling systems and tighter spaces. Laptop CPUs often run 10–15°C hotter than desktop equivalents.
