How to Display CPU Temperature on Windows 11

Monitoring your CPU temperature is an essential part of keeping your Windows 11 PC healthy and performing efficiently. Whether you’re gaming, editing videos, or just using your system for everyday tasks, keeping tabs on CPU heat helps you avoid throttling, crashes, or hardware damage.

Unfortunately, Windows 11 doesn’t include a built-in tool to display CPU temperature. But don’t worry — there are several easy ways to check and monitor your CPU temperature using BIOS/UEFI, free third-party apps, or even by showing it directly on your taskbar or desktop overlay.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the effective methods to display CPU temperature on Windows 11.

1. Check CPU Temperature in BIOS/UEFI

The simplest and most direct way to check your CPU temperature is through your system’s BIOS (or UEFI). This shows the temperature reported directly by the motherboard sensor.

1. Restart your PC.
2. During startup, press the BIOS key repeatedly (usually F2, F10, DEL, or ESC, depending on your computer brand).
3. Once in BIOS or UEFI, navigate to a section labeled Hardware Monitor, PC Health, or System Information.
4. Your CPU temperature will be listed there in Celsius (°C).

Note: The BIOS only shows idle temperature since your system isn’t running under load. For real-time monitoring while using Windows, continue with the software methods below.

2. Use Core Temp (Lightweight & Accurate)

Core Temp is a free, lightweight tool built specifically to show detailed CPU temperature readings. It displays real-time temperatures for each core of your processor.

1. Download Core Temp.
2. Install and open the app.
3. The main window will show:
   • CPU name and model
   • Temperature per core
   • Load percentage per core
   • Minimum and maximum temperatures

Optional: Show CPU Temperature in Taskbar

1. In Core Temp, click Options → Settings → Windows Taskbar.
2. Check Enable temperature readings in the system tray.
3. Click OK.

Now, your CPU temperature will appear right in your taskbar, updating automatically in real time — perfect for quick monitoring while multitasking or gaming.

3. Use HWMonitor for Detailed Hardware Stats

If you want a more detailed breakdown — not just CPU temps but also voltages, fan speeds, and GPU temperatures — HWMonitor is a great option.

1. Download HWMonitor.
2. Install and open it.
3. Scroll down to the section with your CPU model name.
4. You’ll see:
   • Current temperature
   • Minimum and maximum temperatures
   • Power usage and voltage readings

HWMonitor gives you a complete overview of your system’s thermal and electrical performance, making it one of the best all-around hardware monitoring tools.

4. Use MSI Afterburner (Best for Gamers)

If you’re a gamer, MSI Afterburner is one of the most popular tools for monitoring CPU and GPU performance — including temperature — with an on-screen overlay while gaming.

1. Download MSI Afterburner.
2. Install and open the app.
3. Click the Settings (gear) icon.
4. Under the Monitoring tab, scroll down to CPU temperature.
5. Check the box and select Show in On-Screen Display.
6. Click OK.

Now, while playing games, your CPU temperature will appear as a small overlay in one corner of the screen — helping you monitor heat without leaving the game.

5. Use NZXT CAM for Modern Interface and Alerts

NZXT CAM offers a modern, easy-to-use dashboard for system monitoring. It displays CPU, GPU, and RAM data and even lets you set up temperature alerts.

1. Download NZXT CAM.
2. Install and open the program.
3. On the PC Monitoring tab, view your CPU temperature, load, and clock speed.
4. You can pin it to your desktop or run it in the background for real-time tracking.

NZXT CAM is perfect if you want something visual, polished, and user-friendly.

6. Use Open Hardware Monitor (Free and Open Source)

If you prefer open-source software with customizable settings, Open Hardware Monitor is a lightweight and flexible option.

1. Download Open Hardware Monitor.
2. Extract and open the application (no installation required).
3. Expand your CPU section to view core temperatures and load levels.
4. Right-click and choose Show in Tray to display the CPU temperature in your taskbar.

You can even configure it to start with Windows and minimize automatically for always-on monitoring.

7. Use HWiNFO for Advanced Real-Time Monitoring

For professionals and enthusiasts, HWiNFO provides extremely detailed monitoring — perfect for overclocking and diagnostics.

1. Download HWiNFO.
2. Choose the Sensors-only mode during launch.
3. Look for CPU [#0]: Package Temperature and Core Temperatures.
4. Right-click a reading and select Add to Tray or Add to Sidebar.

This allows you to keep a constant temperature reading visible even when HWiNFO is minimized.

8. Check CPU Temperature in Task Manager (Limited)

While the Windows 11 Task Manager doesn’t show CPU temperature directly, it does show GPU temperature under the Performance tab. Microsoft may add CPU thermal stats in future updates, but for now, you’ll need one of the tools above for accurate readings.

9. Bonus Tip: Display CPU Temperature on Taskbar with Rainmeter

If you want a custom desktop display that constantly shows CPU temperature, try Rainmeter — a highly customizable desktop widget app.

1. Download Rainmeter.
2. Install a skin such as “HWiNFO Monitor” or “CPU Meter”.
3. Link it with HWiNFO or Open Hardware Monitor data.

You’ll have a live CPU temperature display right on your desktop, customized to your style.

10. What Is a Safe CPU Temperature Range?

Keeping your CPU within safe thermal limits ensures longevity and stable performance.

CPU Type	Idle Temperature	Under Load	Maximum Safe Limit
Intel Core (i3/i5/i7/i9)	30–45°C	60–85°C	100°C
AMD Ryzen Series	35–50°C	65–90°C	95°C

If your CPU often exceeds 90°C, clean your fans, reapply thermal paste, or improve case airflow.

Wrapping Up

Although Windows 11 doesn’t show CPU temperature natively, you have plenty of free and reliable options:

• Use Core Temp or HWMonitor for simple, accurate readings.
• Use MSI Afterburner or NZXT CAM if you want on-screen overlays or modern dashboards.
• For power users, HWiNFO offers detailed insights and sensor control.

Keeping your CPU temperature in check ensures better performance, longer hardware life, and peace of mind — especially during heavy workloads or gaming sessions.