# 98.6 vs 72 degrees **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 24, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/98-6-vs-72-degrees/190689 "2003-07-24T18:49:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![festivus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee59a6/32.png) [@festivus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/festivus)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/98-6-vs-72-degrees/190689/1 "2003-07-24T18:49:29Z")
Why do most people find that 72 degrees (or thereabouts) is a comfortable temperature when our body temp. is 98.6? I’ve always wondered about this. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/98-6-vs-72-degrees/190689/2 "2003-07-24T19:09:08Z")
WAG. I would suppose that a temperature difference of about 26 [sup]o[/sup] F provides adequate heat transfer from the body to the air without excessiver perspiration. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/98-6-vs-72-degrees/190689/3 "2003-07-24T19:14:38Z")
Slight correction. The 98.6[sup]o[/sup] temperature is the _oral_ temperature. Rectal temperature is different and skin temperature is different still. The temperature difference isn’t 26[sup]o[/sup] between the skin and the environment. However, whatever that difference is it still provides adequate heat transfer for comfort. ---
**Author:** ![jmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dbc845/32.png) [@jmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmonster)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/98-6-vs-72-degrees/190689/4 "2003-07-24T20:10:23Z")
[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_059.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_059.html) ---
**Author:** ![ski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@ski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ski)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/98-6-vs-72-degrees/190689/5 "2003-07-24T23:49:58Z")
The simple answer is because we wear clothes. And we are generally in some kind of motion, meaning we’re creating heat. Both of which keep us warm when it’s 72 degrees. As an experiment, try laying on the floor (i.e. not moving), naked, at 72 degrees. I bet you’ll feel cold. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/98-6-vs-72-degrees/190689/6 "2003-07-25T01:30:45Z")
**ski** : This is from the link in the post just above yours. > [@](#): > > One of Cecil’s competitors once wrote that it was because we wore clothes–as though all you had to do to be comfortable in 98-degree heat was walk around naked. Clearly what we have here is a failure to grasp the scientific essence of the thing, namely, that the air temperature has to be lower than body temperature if you’re to cool yourself efficiently. ---
**Author:** ![ski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@ski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ski)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/98-6-vs-72-degrees/190689/7 "2003-07-25T02:14:17Z")
What, you think I read the other posts before posting? 😃 Actually, though, that post and mine are discussing slightly different approaches. I’m saying why 72 feels comfortable with clothes, or would be cool if you’re naked. The “competitor” quoted in the link is saying you would be comfortable at 98 - two different ideas. 98 would indeed feel hot when naked, because your body would not be able to self-cool as effectively. Later in that column, Cecil agrees with me, in that “if you’re very lightly dressed you may prefer 80”, or said another way “if you’re very lightly dressed, 72 may be cooler than is comfortable”.