It’s no secret that it’s hot in the sauna.
How hot do saunas get, though? What is a normal sauna temp? What temperature should a sauna be set at?
Read on to find answers to all your most pressing sauna temperature questions, from “How hot is a standard sauna?” to “What is the ideal sauna temperature and time?”
What Is the Average Sauna Temp?
Before we can address the average sauna temperature, we need to figure out what kind of sauna you’re using. The answer to the question “How hot should a sauna be?” or “What is the best sauna temperature?” depends on a lot of factors, including the type of sauna you have.
Explained below is the ideal sauna temp range for 3 different types of saunas: a dry sauna, a wet sauna or steam sauna, and an infrared sauna.
Average Dry Sauna Temperature
Most people find that their ideal dry sauna temperature falls somewhere between 150 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
How hot do dry saunas get, though? What is the temperature of a dry sauna at peak heat?
Traditional dry saunas can typically reach temperatures of 180 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit. Some people even have 220-degree saunas! If you’ve been wondering “How hot is a sauna celsius?” remember that a sauna at 220 degrees Fahrenheit is 100 Celsius.
For most sauna users, though, especially those who are new to the sauna world, this is not the ideal temperature for a dry sauna. Sticking to the 150 to 175-degree range will likely be the best temp for your dry sauna.
Average Wet Sauna Temperature
Now that you can answer the question “What temperature should a dry sauna be?” and “How hot is a dry sauna?” let’s move on and discuss a wet sauna or steam sauna.
Wet saunas have lower average temperatures compared to dry saunas -- around 90 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. However, a wet sauna may actually feel hotter than a dry 190-degree sauna. This is because of the added humidity.
Average Infrared Sauna Temperature
An infrared sauna (sometimes known as an IR sauna) e.g. Clearlight Infrared Saunas or infrared sauna blankets is another option that has a lower average temperature compared to a dry sauna. Most infrared sauna users find that their ideal sauna temperature is between 120 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit. With Clearlight Infrared saunas you get higher benefits and lower temperatures through efficient and low EMF infrared heat.
How Hot Should Your Sauna Be if You’re a Beginner?
At this point, you’re better informed and can answer questions like “How hot can saunas get?” or “What is the optimal sauna temperature Celsius vs Fahrenheit?”
Keep in mind, though, that you don’t need to get in the hottest sauna possible when you’re a beginner.
Just because you know the traditional sauna temperature or the typical temperature of a sauna, that doesn’t mean you have to jump straight to that temperature.
The recommended sauna temperature for beginners is typically at the lower end of the average range. If you’re still not sure how hot should a sauna be in Celsius or are wondering “How hot are saunas in Fahrenheit for beginners,” here are some guidelines to get you started:
- Dry Sauna: If you’re using a dry sauna, start at around 150 degrees Fahrenheit (in this case, the best temperature for a sauna Celsius would be 65.6 degrees).
- Wet Sauna: If you’re using a wet sauna, start at around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (in this case, the ideal sauna temperature Celsius would be 32.22 degrees).
- Infrared Sauna: If you’re using an infrared sauna or infrared sauna blanket, start at around 120 degrees Fahrenheit (in this case, the optimal sauna temperature Celsius would be 48.88 degrees).
Not only do you not have to start with the highest sauna temperature possible, but you can also drop the temperature a bit lower than the recommendations listed above if you need. It’s better to lower your sauna time and temperature as you start building a consistent habit than it is to shoot for the “perfect” sauna temperature and overwhelm yourself.
How to Adjust to Your Sauna’s Hot Temperatures
Once you understand what temperature saunas are typically set at and can respond to questions like “how hot is the average sauna?” or “what is the normal temperature for a sauna?” you may want to know what you can do to adjust to the optimal sauna temperature and get used to high heats.
In addition to lowering the starting temperature, here are some other tips that will help you get acclimated and get the most out of your sessions:
- Start slow: Start with a short sauna session -- 5-10 minutes is a great place for beginners. If you can only do a couple of minutes, though, that’s okay as well.
- Hydrate: Make sure you drink plenty of water before you step into the sauna. Keep water in there with you as well and hydrate after to replace the fluids you lose during your session.
- Cool down: Take a cool shower afterward to lower your body temperature
Aim to use the sauna at least a few times per week. After a few sessions, begin to gradually increase the temperature and/or the amount of time you spend in there.
Pretty soon, you’ll start to figure out the answers to essential questions like “What should sauna temp be for me?” and “What is the best sauna temperature for my needs?” and “What temperature should a sauna be in Celsius for me to be comfortable.”
Shop for a Sauna Today
Before reading this guide, the answers to questions like “What is the temperature in a sauna?” and “What is a good sauna temperature?” and “How hot are saunas usually?” may have seemed impossible to answer.
At this point, though, you should be able to tell others what temperature to set sauna, as well as respond to questions like “How hot does a sauna get Celsius?” and “How hot is a sauna supposed to be?” with confidence.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of an in-home sauna for yourself, head to our online store today. We’ve got tons of high-quality saunas and infrared sauna blankets for you to choose from, from infrared saunas to dry saunas.
