TL;DR
To check your Mac’s temperature:
- Use the
sudo powermetrics –samplers smc |grep -i "CPU die temperature"command in Terminal on Intel-based Macs. - Use a third-party app, like Hot, on both Intel-based and M1 Macs.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Ever notice your Mac getting hot while editing videos, gaming, or running multiple apps? This heat can slow it down and damage components. So, you must keep an eye on your Mac’s temperature and keep it cool. In this guide, I’ll share two easy ways to check your Mac’s temperature.
How to Check Your Mac’s Temperature
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Here are the detailed steps for each method to check your Mac’s temperature:
1. Using A Terminal Command
This method only works on Intel-based Macs and is incompatible with M1, M2, or M3 Macs.
If you just want to quickly check your CPU temperature on an Intel-based Mac, you can use a specific command in Terminal and start monitoring.
Here’s how to check your Mac’s temperature using Terminal:
- Open Finder from your Dock.
- Navigate to the Applications folder and open the Utilities folder.
- Launch Terminal.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo powermetrics –samplers smc |grep -i "CPU die temperature"- Enter your password if prompted and press Enter.
- The Terminal will display a list of metrics, including the current temperature of your MacBook’s CPU.
- Look for the CPU die temperature field, which displays the current temperature of your MacBook’s CPU in degrees Celsius.
Terminal will keep refreshing the temperature reading until you exit the application.
2. Using A Third-Party App
For Macs with Apple Silicon, you’ll need a third-party app to monitor system temperature since Terminal commands won’t work. You can find many apps on the App Store or online but I personally use Hot by iMazing. It’s simple, to-the-point, and easy to use.
Here’s how to use it:
- Visit the iMazing website to download the Hot app. You may have to scroll down to find the app on their free apps page.
- Click the Download for Mac button to download the Hot app to your Mac for free.
- Open your Downloads folder and double-click the Hot application icon to launch it.
- When the app launches, you’ll see the Hot app icon—a flame—in the menu bar, with the average CPU temperature displayed next to it.
- By opening the Hot app’s menu, you can access more options, like choosing between Fahrenheit and Celsius for temperature display.
Find Power-Hungry Processes Via Activity Monitor
Activity Monitor is a built-in app that doesn’t display temperature directly, but it shows processes impacting system resources like CPU and memory. You can use it to find resource-heavy processes causing your MacBook to overheat.
Here’s how to use Activity Monitor to find processes uses too many resources:
- Open Finder > Applications > Utilities folder.
- Launch the Activity Monitor app.
- In the Activity Monitor window, click the CPU tab and look for the processes taking space and causing overheating.
Activity Monitor doesn’t tell actual temperatures, but you can get a general idea of the reason for overheating.
What Is the MacBook’s Ideal Temperature?
The MacBook’s ideal temperature is generally between 50°F to 95°F (10°C to 35°C). However, the internal components, like the CPU, can safely reach temperatures up to 194°F (90°C) under heavy load.
Plus, the ideal operating temperature for a MacBook also depends on various factors, including the specific model and the tasks being performed.
If your MacBook consistently overheats, it could cause damage. Keeping the temperature within the ideal range ensures optimal performance and device longevity.
How Do I Know If My Mac Is Overheating?
Here are the signs that your Mac might be overheating:
- 🌀Your MacBook fan is loud
- 🔥 Device feels unusually hot to the touch
- 🐢 Your Mac is running slow or sluggish
- 🚨 Thermal warnings appearing on the screen
- ⚠️ Your Mac randomly shuts down
If you notice these signs frequently, it’s important to address them to avoid potential damage to your Mac’s internal components.
Prevent Your MacBook From Overheating
Now that you know how to check your Mac’s temperature, consider these Mac maintenance tips to keep it cool and prevent internal damage:
- Regularly monitor your Mac’s CPU, GPU, and RAM usage to find power-intensive apps overheating your system.
- Stop your Mac from overheating by keeping it on flat surfaces and using a cooling pad.
- Make sure you clean up your MacBook regularly to avoid dust accumulation in the vents, blocking airflow.
