Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit at standard sea-level pressure (1 atmosphere).

Quick Scoop: Basic Answer

  • At sea level, pure water’s boiling point is 212 °F.
  • This is the temperature where water changes from liquid to gas (those familiar rolling bubbles in a pot).

But It’s Not Always 212 °F

The famous 212 °F number assumes standard atmospheric pressure at sea level. Go up a mountain, air pressure drops, and water boils at a lower temperature (for example, around 200 °F at roughly 1,900 meters / 6,200 feet). In a pressure cooker, pressure is higher, so water boils at a higher temperature (above 212 °F), which helps food cook faster.

So, in everyday kitchen talk:

  • Sea level, normal pot: ~212 °F.
  • High altitude: a bit below 212 °F.
  • Pressure cooker: above 212 °F.

Tiny Bit Of “Why”

Boiling happens when water’s vapor pressure matches the pressure of the air above it. Lower outside pressure (high altitude) means water can “escape” into steam sooner, so it boils at a lower temperature. Higher outside pressure (like in a sealed pressure cooker) means water needs more heat to start boiling, so the boiling point goes up.

Quick TL;DR

  • Standard answer: 212 °F.
  • Real-world nuance: it changes with pressure and altitude, but 212 °F is the go-to number for “what temp does water boil in Fahrenheit.”

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