Sauna thermometer on a cedar wall above the upper bench of a hot traditional sauna

How Hot Is a Sauna? Typical Sauna Temperatures by Type

A traditional sauna typically runs at 176–212°F (80–100°C). An infrared sauna runs much cooler, at about 113–140°F (45–60°C). A steam room is cooler still on the thermometer, around 110–120°F, but the air is close to fully saturated.

Those numbers come from the sources listed at the end. Below is what each range means in practice, why a cooler room can feel hotter, and how to measure and set the temperature in your own sauna.

Sauna temperature by type

Type Typical temperature Humidity Source
Traditional Finnish sauna 80–100°C (176–212°F) 10–20% relative humidity, briefly higher with löyly Hussain and Cohen, 2018; Finnish Sauna Society via finland.fi
Dry sauna (US retail usage) 160–200°F (71–93°C) Low Finnstyle
Infrared sauna 45–60°C (113–140°F) No added humidity Hussain and Cohen, 2018
Steam room Around 110–120°F (43–49°C) Close to 100% Finnstyle

Sources do not agree to the degree. Wikipedia's Finnish sauna article gives a typical range of 80–110°C (176–230°F), usually 80–90°C (176–194°F). Harvard Health says dry sauna heat "can get as high as 185°F." The overlap is clear, though: a traditional sauna usually sits somewhere between the high 170s and around 200°F.

How hot is a traditional sauna?

According to finland.fi, the Finnish Sauna Society recommends 80–100°C (176–212°F), and some people prefer about 70°C (158°F). The same page is blunt about turning it into a contest: competing to see who can tolerate the most heat is considered unhealthy and pointless.

Most home electric heaters let you set the temperature with a thermostat. Our electric sauna heaters have built-in or external controls, and wood stoves are controlled by how you fire them. The Blisspod Prague barrel lists an inner control range of 0–90°C (up to 194°F), which is typical of what you will see on traditional sauna controls.

What temperature should a sauna be?

There is no single right setting. A sensible approach:

  • New to sauna: start at the low end, around 160–170°F (71–77°C), and sit on the lower bench.
  • Regular bathers: many settle in the 175–195°F (80–90°C) range and adjust with löyly.
  • Above 200°F: some heaters and some people go there, but higher is not better. Shorter sessions make more sense as the heat climbs.

Whatever you choose, listen to your body and leave when you want to. If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, are pregnant or take medication, talk to your doctor about whether sauna is right for you and how hot is too hot.

How hot is an infrared sauna?

Infrared saunas run cooler because they heat differently. Mayo Clinic explains that a regular sauna warms the air, which warms you, while an infrared sauna heats your body directly without warming the air as much. Hussain and Cohen put typical infrared temperatures at 45–60°C (113–140°F).

The listings in our infrared saunas collection line up with that. The Blisspod Vienna 1-person cabin lists temperature up to 60°C (140°F). The Low EMF Hemlock Two Person Infrared Sauna lists a range of 25–65°C (77–149°F). A portable far-infrared tent lists six levels from 86–140°F (30–60°C).

Because you are warmed by the panels rather than the air, the thermometer reading in an infrared cabin does not tell the whole story. Sitting closer to the panels feels warmer than the room reading suggests. Our infrared vs traditional sauna guide covers the trade-offs.

How hot is a steam room?

Finnstyle puts a steam room at around 110–120°F with 100 percent humidity, noting that the humidity keeps sweat from evaporating. Hussain and Cohen make the same point: in steam, water condenses on the skin and sweat evaporates less. That is why a steam room at 115°F can feel as intense as a dry sauna at nearly 180°F. See our dry sauna vs wet sauna guide for more on the difference.

Why the same temperature can feel different

Humidity and löyly

Löyly, the steam from water ladled onto the stones, is what makes a traditional sauna feel hotter without the thermometer moving much. Hussain and Cohen describe Finnish saunas as dry air "interspersed with periods of increased humidity" from water on the rocks. If the room feels too mild, a ladle of water is usually a better fix than turning the heater up.

Bench height

Hot air rises, so the upper bench is noticeably hotter than the lower one. Where a thermometer is mounted changes what it reads. Mount it at about head height near where you sit, away from the direct blast of the heater, so it reflects the air you are actually breathing.

Room size and heater power

An undersized heater may struggle to reach temperature, especially in a room with lots of glass. Harvia's rule of thumb is about 1 kW of heater power per cubic meter of room, with extra for glass, stone and other uninsulated surfaces. Our sauna heater size calculator does the math, and our heater sizing guide explains it.

How to measure sauna temperature

A built-in control panel tells you what the heater's sensor reads, which is not always where you sit. A separate sauna thermometer, ideally with a hygrometer, gives you a second reading at bench level and shows humidity rising when you add löyly.

Our sauna timers and thermometers collection includes a wide-range sauna thermometer and hygrometer ($49.99) with a 3.94" dial, and a wall-mount 15-minute hourglass timer ($64.98). Use gauges made for sauna heat; household thermometers and phones are not built for it.

Quick °F to °C reference

Heater controls and listings use both scales, so here are the common sauna settings side by side:

°F °C Where you will see it
113–140°F 45–60°C Typical infrared sauna range
158°F 70°C A mild traditional sauna
176°F 80°C Bottom of the Finnish Sauna Society's recommended range
194°F 90°C A common setting for regular bathers
212°F 100°C Top of the recommended range

Portable saunas and blankets

Portable units have their own ranges, and they are printed on each listing. Infrared tents in our portable saunas collection list maximums of about 140–149°F (60–65°C). Infrared sauna blankets go higher at the surface: one blanket in our catalog lists 95–176°F, because it wraps directly around you. Follow the maker's limits and timer settings on any portable unit.

Wood-fired saunas

A wood stove has no thermostat. You control the temperature by how much wood you add and how you set the air intake, so a thermometer matters even more. Expect the room to rise as the stove gets going and to fall as the fire dies down. Our wood-burning sauna stove guide covers firing and safety.

How long to stay at these temperatures

Hotter rooms call for shorter rounds. Harvard Health suggests staying in no more than 15–20 minutes, drinking two to four glasses of cool water afterward and cooling down gradually. It also says people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart disease should check with their doctor first. Our guide on how long to stay in a sauna goes into more detail.

FAQ

How hot is a sauna usually?

A traditional sauna usually runs at 176–212°F (80–100°C). Infrared saunas run at about 113–140°F (45–60°C), and steam rooms at around 110–120°F.

How hot is a sauna in Celsius?

Typically 80–100°C for a traditional sauna and 45–60°C for an infrared sauna. A steam room is around 43–49°C.

What is a good sauna temperature for beginners?

Start at the lower end, around 160–170°F (71–77°C), on the lower bench, and keep rounds short. Some Finns prefer about 70°C (158°F), per finland.fi.

How hot is too hot for a sauna?

There is no universal limit; it depends on you. Finnish sources discourage competing to tolerate the most heat. If you feel unwell, leave. If you have any health condition, ask your doctor what is safe for you.

How hot do infrared saunas get?

Typically 45–60°C (113–140°F). Listings in our catalog show maximums of 60–65°C (140–149°F).

How long does a sauna take to heat up?

It depends on the heater, room size, insulation and starting temperature, so check the manufacturer's figures for the model you are considering. A correctly sized heater helps.

Sources

Related guides

Back to blog