How to check CPU temperature on Windows 11, Mac and Linux

Checking your processor's temperature takes about two minutes, but the operating system rarely makes it obvious. Windows Task Manager shows CPU usage and speed, not heat; macOS shows neither; Linux needs a small package. This guide walks through the quickest reliable method on each platform, explains which of the many numbers to look at, and shows how to test properly so the reading actually means something. Once you have a number, our explainer on what a normal CPU temperature is tells you whether to worry.

The quick answer

How to check CPU temperature in Windows 10 and 11

Option 1: HWiNFO (most detailed)

1. Download HWiNFO from its official website (it is free for non-commercial use; a portable version needs no installation).
2. When it starts, tick Sensors-only and click Start.
3. Scroll to the section named after your processor. On Intel look for CPU Package; on AMD look for CPU (Tctl/Tdie).
4. Note the four columns: Current, Minimum, Maximum and Average. The Maximum column is the one that matters after a gaming session.

HWiNFO also lists rows such as thermal throttling (Yes/No) and the CPU's power draw, which tell you whether heat is actually costing you performance. You can reset the min/max values with the clock icon before a test.

Option 2: Core Temp or HWMonitor (simplest)

Core Temp is a small free tool that shows each core's temperature and can put the hottest value in the notification area next to the clock, so you can keep an eye on it while you work. HWMonitor from CPUID shows CPU, GPU, drives and motherboard sensors in one list with min and max values. Both are fine for a quick look; HWiNFO is better for diagnosing a problem.

Option 3: AMD and Intel's own tools

AMD Ryzen Master shows temperature, clock speeds and power for Ryzen desktop processors. Intel's Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU) does the same on supported Intel chips, mainly unlocked desktop models. These are tuning tools, so leave the overclocking settings alone if you only want to read temperatures.

Option 4: BIOS/UEFI

Restart the PC and press the setup key (usually Delete, F2 or F10). Most boards show CPU temperature on the main screen or under a "Hardware Monitor" or "PC Health" page. It is useful for checking a new build or a cooler mount, but it only shows idle temperature, because nothing is loading the CPU.

How to check CPU temperature on Linux

1. Install the sensors package: sudo apt install lm-sensors on Ubuntu or Debian (dnf install lm_sensors on Fedora).
2. Run sudo sensors-detect once and accept the safe defaults.
3. Run sensors. Intel processors appear as coretemp with a Package id 0 line plus one line per core; AMD processors appear as k10temp with Tctl (and CCD lines on chiplet designs).

For a live view, run watch -n 1 sensors. Desktop environments also have sensor widgets and extensions if you prefer a panel readout.

How to check CPU temperature on a Mac

macOS has no built-in temperature display: Activity Monitor shows CPU load, not heat. You have two choices:

• A menu bar app. The free, open-source Stats app and the paid iStat Menus read the Mac's sensors and show CPU temperatures and fan speeds.
• Terminal: sudo powermetrics --samplers thermal reports the system's thermal pressure level (for example Nominal, Moderate or Heavy). On Apple silicon this is what macOS itself uses to decide when to slow down, so it is a useful "is it throttling?" check even without a degree figure. On older Intel Macs, sudo powermetrics --samplers smc also lists the CPU die temperature.

Apple silicon Macs are designed to run warm under sustained load and to manage heat themselves, so high readings in a fanless MacBook Air during a long export are expected.

Which number should you look at?

Monitoring tools often show a dozen CPU temperatures. Focus on these:

• CPU Package (Intel) or Tctl/Tdie (AMD): the best single figure for the whole chip, and what fan curves usually follow.
• Per-core temperatures jump around constantly and differ by several degrees. That is normal; look at the hottest core only if one is far above the others.
• CCD temperatures on multi-chiplet Ryzen CPUs are often hotter than the package value.
• Motherboard or "System" temperature is a board sensor, not the CPU.

The meaning of each reading, and the maximum (TjMax) your chip is designed for, is covered in our normal CPU temperature explainer.

How to test temperature under load

An idle reading says little. To get a number worth comparing:

1. Close heavy background apps and let the PC idle for five minutes; note the idle value.
2. Reset the min/max counters in your monitoring tool.
3. Apply a realistic load: play your most demanding game for 15–20 minutes, or run a multi-core benchmark such as Cinebench for about ten minutes.
4. Read the Maximum and the steady value near the end, not the first spike.

Stress tools such as Prime95 or OCCT produce worst-case heat that ordinary apps rarely reach. They are useful to check a new cooler or stability after tuning, but don't panic if they push a high-end chip to its limit: many modern CPUs are designed to boost until they get there.

Check the graphics card at the same time

In games, the GPU is the other big heat source, and it can warm up the CPU cooler too. In Windows 10 and 11, open Task Manager → Performance → GPU: dedicated graphics cards show their temperature at the bottom. HWiNFO, GPU-Z or MSI Afterburner add hotspot and memory readings, and Afterburner can show them in an on-screen overlay while you play. Our guide on what a normal GPU temperature is gives safe ranges.

If both chips run cool but games still stutter or the frame rate is lower than expected, heat probably isn't the problem: read CPU vs GPU bottlenecks explained to find the real limit. Testing a second-hand card? Our used graphics card checklist includes a short stress-test routine.

Laptops: what's different

Laptops use the same tools, but expect higher numbers: small coolers are often tuned to let the CPU reach 90 °C or more under heavy load before the fans get loud. Some makers' control apps show temperatures and let you choose a quieter or cooler power mode. If your laptop throttles constantly, check that the vents are clear and that it is on a hard surface. Our laptop buying guide explains why the cooling design matters as much as the processor.

More PC guides: normal CPU temperature · normal GPU temperature · CPU vs GPU bottleneck · what power supply do I need.