How long should you keep the thermometer under your tongue?

Answer 1

You must hold your mouth closed and keep the thermometer in place for a certain period of time. If you have a digital thermometer, it will tell you when it's "done". If you are using an old "Mercury thermometer", the thermometer must stay under the tongue for at least a minute to 2 minutes.

NOTE: Mercury thermometers are being phased out. The mercury inside is highly toxic and you should dispose of all mercury thermometers by taking them to a recycling center that handles that. DO NOT THROW IT IN THE TRASH. Mercury is poisonous to every living thing.

UPDATE: GERATHERM offers MERCURY FREE thermometers that work the same as the mercury ones. They are supposed to be safe.

Answer 2

Modern electronic thermometers only need a few seconds; check the instrument's instruction manual because different models may vary.

Old-style mercury thermometers should remain in the mouth for about 3 minutes.

Answer 3

For analog thermometers, one complete minute will do.

Answer 4

3 Minutes for a mercury thermometer. For a digital thermometer, until it beeps and the readout stops changing.

Answer 5

Untill the thermometer beeps, then you take it out

Answer 6

at least 2 minutes, but no longer than 5

Answer 7

3 minutes

Answer 8

how long should you keep the thermometer under your tongue

Answer 9

Eight minutes

Answer 10

5 minutes