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How to Check CPU Temperature in Windows 11

Look in BIOS/UEFI, install Speccy, or use a CPU tuning utility

By

Jeremy Laukkonen

Updated on November 30, 2023

What to Know

Windows 11 doesn’t have a built-in CPU temperature monitor, but you can check it in the UEFI or BIOS utility.
Or use Speccy, a free third-party app that lets you see the CPU temp from within Windows.
Some manufactures have overclocking utilities that can display the temperature, like Intel XTU and Corsair’s iCUE.

This article explains how to check the CPU temperature in Windows 11.

Checking CPU Temperature Using UEFI

UEFI and BIOS are types of firmware that are responsible for starting up your computer before Windows 11 takes over. Here’s how to check your CPU temperature using UEFI or BIOS:

While every PC has access to these utilities, the CPU temperature isn't always displayed. If you don't see it in yours, or you're not interested in following these steps to test whether it's there, use a third-party app instead (those directions are below).

Open Settings and select System.
Choose Recovery.
Select Restart now.
Your computer will restart. When you see the startup options screen, pick Troubleshoot.
Select Advanced options.
Choose UEFI Firmware Settings, or the BIOS option if that's what you see.
Select Restart.
When your computer restarts and loads the UEFI home screen, look for CPU Core Temperature. If you don’t see your CPU temp on the home screen, navigate to an option like Advanced, Power, or H/W Monitor menu using the arrow keys, and select it by pressing Enter.

How to See CPU Temp in Windows 11 Using Speccy

There are a lot of apps that can display the CPU temperature in Windows 11, but Speccy is a highly rated option that's also great for checking lots of other information about your computer. Here’s how to use this app to see the temperature of the CPU:

Download and install Speccy.
Open the program and choose CPU from the left side.

You can also see the overall temperature of your CPU by checking the CPU section on the Summary tab.
Review the Temperature column to see the temperature of each individual CPU core.
To see the temperature of the GPU, visit the Graphics tab.

How to See CPU Temp in Windows 11 Using Other Apps

If you have a gaming mouse, keyboard, or headset that includes a settings or monitoring app, it may have the capability to display your CPU temperature. Intel and AMD both have apps used to overclock a CPU and, as part of that, can display its temperature.

The following examples use Intel Extreme Tuning Utility and Corsair’s iCUE. If you have an AMD CPU or gaming peripherals from another manufacturer, your apps will look different.

Select the search bar on the taskbar, then search for and open Intel Extreme Tuning Utility.
Select System Information and look in the lower right corner for Package Temperature. You can also press Monitoring for a concise list of all the monitors.
The Monitoring screen provides a list of all available monitors, including CPU temperature.
In other third party apps, including iCUE, you need to open the app and then select an option like Dashboard or Monitors.
Here you can see the temperature of each individual core and the temperature of the GPU.

How to See CPU Temp in Windows 11

Windows 11 doesn’t have a built-in method for checking the CPU temperature. Instead, you can boot into UEFI or BIOS before Windows starts up. The catch with this method is that you can only access these utilities during the boot process, meaning they're not useful if you're interested in reading the CPU temperature while you’re actually using Windows, such as when playing a game that can cause the processor to heat up.

You can also monitor the CPU temperature while Windows 11 is running. This is much more helpful for real-time feedback. A third-party app like Speccy is a great choice for this, but there are other system information tools that offer these readings.

Some peripherals, like gaming mice and headsets, include software that lets you check and monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures in real time. These apps are typically geared toward managing the specific device, but they can also be useful for checking CPU temp without needing to install additional software. Intel and AMD also provide tools for checking your CPU temperature, typically packaged with an overclocking utility.

FAQ

What is a good temperature for a CPU?

Your CPU's temperature will vary with the type of processor you have, but you can expect an idle temperature (with no resource-intensive applications running) is around 100°F (about 38°C). Many processors do "thermal throttling" after a certain point, like 212°F (100°C), which may affect your computer's performance. Check your processor's specifications to see its usual operating temperature.
How do I reduce my CPU's temperature?

No-cost options to prevent your CPU from overheating include making sure your tower's vents are clear and shutting down programs you aren't using. Alternatively, you can install something like a water-cooling system to manage the temperature.

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