Science, Tech, Math › Science Room Temperature Definition Share Flipboard Email Print Peter Dazeley/Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated January 10, 2020 To the average person, room temperature is the thermometer reading of the room. In science and industry, the temperature is defined. However, not everyone uses the same value. Room Temperature Definition Room temperature is a range of temperatures that denotes comfortable habitation for humans. Across this temperature range, a person isn't either hot or cold when wearing ordinary clothing. The definition of the temperature range is somewhat different for science and engineering compared with climate control. For climate control, the range is also different depending on whether it's summer or winter. In science, 300 K (27 C or 80 F) can also be used as room temperature for easy calculations when using absolute temperature. Other common values are 298 K (25 C or 77 F) and 293 K (20 C or 68 F). For climate control, a typical room temperature range is from 15 C (59 F) to 25 C (77 F). People tend to accept a slightly higher room temperature in the summer and lower value in the winter, based on the clothing they would wear outdoors. Room Temperature Versus Ambient Temperature Ambient temperature refers to the temperature of the surroundings. This might or might not be a comfortable room temperature.