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LL.1 Read temperatures on a Fahrenheit thermometer

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What is temperature?

Temperature tells us how hot or cold something is. We measure temperature with a tool called a thermometer.

Examples:
  • A cold winter day might be 32°F
  • A warm summer day might be 85°F
  • Water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F
Note

Temperature helps us decide what to wear, what activities to do, and even how food cooks.

What is a Fahrenheit thermometer?

A Fahrenheit thermometer is marked with numbers that show temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). The numbers increase as it gets warmer and decrease as it gets colder.

How to identify:
  • Look for the letter “F” or the symbol “°F” on the thermometer.
  • Numbers go up by 2s, 5s, or 10s depending on the thermometer.
  • The liquid (or line) moves up when it’s hotter and down when it’s colder.
Note

Always check the scale carefully—different thermometers may show numbers in different steps.

How to read a Fahrenheit thermometer

To read the temperature, find the number closest to where the liquid or line stops.

Steps:
  • Find the top of the red liquid (or dark line).
  • Look at the nearest number on the thermometer scale.
  • If it’s between two numbers, estimate the value.
Note

Take your time and look closely. Estimating between numbers is an important math skill.

Examples of reading temperatures

Here are some examples of temperatures you might read on a thermometer:

Examples:
  • If the liquid stops at 70, the temperature is 70°F.
  • If the liquid is halfway between 40 and 50, the temperature is about 45°F.
  • If the liquid is just above 32, the temperature is slightly above freezing.
Note

Remember: °F always means degrees Fahrenheit. Pay attention to the scale and location of the liquid.

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