Water boils at about 100 °C (212 °F) at normal sea‑level air pressure.

Quick Scoop: What temp does water boil?

  • At sea level (normal pressure):
    • Around 100 °C.
* Around 212 °F.
  • In more precise scientific terms :
    • Normal boiling point: about 99.97 °C (211.95 °F) at 1 atmosphere.
* Standard boiling point (1 bar, very similar pressure): about 99.61 °C (211.3 °F).
  • At higher altitudes (mountains):
    • Air pressure is lower, so water boils at a lower temperature (for example, around 89–93 °C at several thousand feet, and close to 71 °C on very high mountains like Everest).
  • In a pressure cooker (higher pressure):
    • Water boils at a higher temperature than 100 °C, which is why food cooks faster.

In everyday cooking terms

If you’re just wondering “what temp does water boil” for normal kitchen use at low elevation, you can safely use:

Water boils at 100 °C / 212 °F at sea level.

TL;DR:

  • Normal answer: 100 °C (212 °F).
  • Changes with altitude (lower up high) and with pressure (higher in a pressure cooker).

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.