The Right Fridge Temperature Keeps Food Fresh and Utility Bills Low—Here's the Sweet Spot (2025)

• The ideal fridge temperature is between 35 and 40°F to keep food from spoiling and to prevent wasting energy.
• Monitor your fridge's temperature and keep it well organized to help maintain this temperature.
• Condensation, frost, food spoiling, leaking water, and a constantly running motor mean your fridge isn't the right temperature.

No one wants to waste a refrigerator full of food, but if you keep the temperature too cold you can hike up your utility bill.

There's a sweet spot right above freezing that you need to hit, and a properly working fridge should be able to adjust to that number quickly when you open and close it or stock it with warm leftovers.

To prevent ice crystals and bacteria alike, here's a guide on what temperature your fridge should be running.

What Temperature Should a Refrigerator Be?

The temperature your refrigerator should be at is between 35 and 40°F. There's some science behind this ideal range.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recommends keeping your fridge temp at 40°F or below. It can be tempting to set your refrigerator's temperature higher than 40°F to save on your utility bill, but that is not a good idea.

Pathogenic bacteriacan start to grow at temperatures between 40 and 140°F. This type of bacteria is especially dangerous because it doesn't affect how the food smells, looks, or tastes. You could consume pathogenic bacteria and not even know it.

Since your refrigerator's internal temperature changes each time you open and close the door or stock it with new food, it's a good idea to set the temperature below 40°F. But the colder isn't necessarily the better.

Food can start to freeze at 32°F, so don't set it below 35°F just in case. Additionally, setting your fridge too cold can cause it to run more often, which speeds up the wear and tear.

Best Temperature for a Freezer

Keep your freezer temperature at 0°F. This temperature is well below freezing and should keep your food thoroughly frozen until you're ready to consume it.

Food consistently stored at or below 0°F is technically safe to consume indefinitely, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Just keep in mind that the quality of frozen food starts to deteriorate within a few months.

How to Keep Your Fridge Temperature Consistent

Monitor the Temperature

Refrigerators have internal thermometers. When they're in working order, they do a pretty good job of keeping their interiors at the temperature you set.

Newer refrigerators typically display their current temperature in a digital reading on the control panel. But if your fridge doesn't have this feature (or you just want to double-check that it's working properly), you can purchase your own fridge and freezer thermometer.

Keep an eye on your fridge's temperature and make adjustments as needed. For example, you may need to set your fridge to a slightly lower temperature in the summer to combat the warmer room temperatures and higher traffic from hungry kids on break.

Store Leftovers Quickly, But Divide Them

Contrary to popular belief, it's actually safe to put away hot leftovers in the refrigerator right away. Your fridge should be able to make adequate adjustments in a timely manner.

In fact, you should put your leftovers in the fridge as quickly as possible (or at least before the two-hour mark). Speeding up the cooling process will prevent harmful bacteria from forming. The FDA recommends dividing large amounts of leftovers into multiple smaller and shallow containers to help with this process.

Keep It Organized

How you stock your fridge and freezer also plays a role in its ability to keep all the items inside at a consistent temperature. For starters, avoid overpacking them with too many items, which can prevent proper air flow.

It's a good idea to make it a habit to remove old and expired food each time you restock your fridge after a grocery run to keep things tidy. However, the opposite can also be true. A fridge that is too empty can have a more difficult time staying cool enough.

Items stored near the back of your fridge tend to stay cooler than the ones near the front or in your door shelves. Keep your meat, dairy products, and leftovers near the back and store items that don't perish as quickly, like juice and condiments, in the other sections.

What to Do During a Power Outage

During a power outage, avoid opening your fridge and freezer doors as much as possible. If your home loses power often, consider keeping a few quart-sized bags of frozen water in your freezer. You can pop them in your fridge during the outage to keep your food cool longer.

Your fridge should be able to keep your food safe for up to four hours without power. While pitching food can seem wasteful, it's important to remember that you can't detect pathogenic bacteria with any of your senses.

Signs Your Fridge and Freezer Are at the Wrong Temperature

New and old fridges alike can have their faults when it comes to maintaining an ideal internal temperature. If you notice any of these signs, it's a good idea to double-check that your fridge is staying between 35 and 40°F.

• Condensation or frost on your food or the sides of the refrigerator.
• Your food frequently spoils before its expiration date.
• Your food feels lukewarm or has frozen pockets.
• You notice water leaking on the floor.
• The motor is constantly running.
• There is a foul smell present.
• There's been an unexplained spike in your energy bill.

If your freezer is running too hot or cold, you may notice similar issues, as well as water leaking into the fridge and stored food thawing on the edges. However, a small layer of frost on the sides of your freezer is considered normal.

Why Your Fridge Is at the Wrong Temperature

Even if you have your refrigerator and freezer set to the right temperature, there are other causes for them running outside of the desired temperature range.

Aside from human error, here are some reasons it could be running too hot or too cold:

• A faulty thermometer
• Faulty fans
• Damaged seals
• Clogged condenser coils
• Blocked air vents
• The fridge is too full or too empty

If you suspect there is an issue with your refrigerator, contact a repair professional. You might be able to get your current refrigerator back in optimal working order and avoid having to invest in a new one.