20°C (68°F) is generally considered mild and pleasant, often described as comfortable or "room temperature," feeling warm in cooler climates but cool in hot regions, depending on humidity, acclimatization, and personal preference. It's not hot (usually >25°C) or cold (usually <10°C) but sits in a comfortable zone where many enjoy being outdoors in light clothing.
20 – 25 CELSIUS DEGREE
MATERIALS: cotton, jersey, denim. In short, light or mixed fabrics for a variable time. KEY PIECES: if the weather is not so good, wear a denim jacket or a trench; if it is sunny, a cardigan or a maxi scarf is better.
"The World Health Organisation consistently ranks Australian homes as some of the coldest in the world," he said. "They have a metric that says for a house to be considered 'not cold' it has to be above 18 degrees inside.
To put it into perspective, 21 degrees Celsius translates to about 70 degrees Fahrenheit—a comfortable range where most people feel at ease.
20°C to 30°C can be classed as cold temperatures to wash garments on. Cold washes benefit clothes that have dark or bright colours that can easily run.
20°C is a cold wash but is a high enough temperature to remove dirt and most stains with a reduced risk of fading or shrinking. Thanks to Vanish Oxi Action Multi Power powder, you can wash at 20°C to remove tough stains safely, prevent colour transfer and remove odours.
20°C (68°F) is generally considered mild and comfortable, feeling warm or pleasant for most people in the air, perfect for T-shirt weather in some places, but can feel cool in water or for those from very hot climates, depending on acclimatization, humidity, and activity level.
When you step outside in 20+ degree weather, the warm air should feel like a nice warm blanket around you. Perfect weather to go jacket-free if you ask us. Should it cool down a lot at night, and you're out and about, bring a light cardi to wear as a coat and you'll be fine!
The Energy Saving Trust recommends heating your home to the lowest comfortable temperature which, for most people is between 18–20°C. People often spend time relaxing here, so it should be comfortable.
Optimal Comfort for Most People
Studies show that most people feel comfortable in a temperature range of 23–26°C with 45–55% humidity. Setting the AC to 24°C maintains this range, making it suitable for daily living and sleep. Unlike extreme settings, 24°C feels natural and comfortable to the body.
In the Northern Hemisphere, there are significant landmasses (such as Canada and Russia) that rapidly lose their heat in winter which provides a significant source of cold air. This is why locations of equal latitude in America and Eurasia are frequently colder in winter compared to their Australian equivalents.
Having room temperatures slightly over 18 °C could be good for your health. If you are under the age of 65, active and wearing appropriate clothing, you may wish to keep your home at a comfortable temperature even if it is slightly lower than 18°C.
While several places get extremely hot, Onslow in Western Australia shares the record for Australia's highest temperature ever recorded (50.7°C in 2022), and Marble Bar, also in WA, is famous as "Australia's Hottest Town" for its record-breaking 160 consecutive days over 37.7°C (100°F) in 1923-24. The Pilbara region, where these towns are located, consistently experiences Australia's most extreme heat.
The Ideal Temperature for Shorts
There's no strict rule for when it's officially "shorts weather," but here's a general guide: 10-15°C (50-59°F) – Borderline weather. Works if you style your roomy shorts with a hoodie or sweatshirt. 16-20°C (60-68°F) – Comfortable for most people.
The 3-3-3 clothing rule is a simple styling method for creating many outfits from few items: choose 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes, which allows for 27 potential combinations (3x3x3) and reduces decision fatigue, often used for travel or building a minimalist capsule wardrobe. It's a versatile concept, sometimes expanded to include 3 layers (like jackets or cardigans) for even more looks, making dressing easier by focusing on mix-and-match versatility with core pieces.
15 to 20 degrees
A trench coat is perfect for the autumnal cold, which isn't biting, just fresh. You can venture into short sleeves here, worn underneath your jacket, but we'd still keep our legs covered—preferably with some trusty denim. Unless it's raining, free the toe with a pair of sandals.
Some people naturally tend to feel colder than others without any discernible cause. However, cold intolerance can also indicate an underlying medical condition, such as hypothyroidism or anemia. Dysfunction of the thyroid gland, decreased arterial blood flow, and low body fat can all cause a person to feel cold.
It may be too warm to layer up in knitwear and coats just yet, but we've got the perfect solution: a stylish cropped cardigan and '70s-inspired flares. Style with 20-degree-weather appropriate chunky ruched sandals, a '90s shoulder bag and a classic claw hair clip for a look you'll want to show off on the gram'.
To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.
What to Wear in 20-Degree Weather If You're Stuck for Ideas:
20°F to 30°F: Enter the domain of mid-weight puffers, your trusty companions for daily warmth and sophistication. Below 20°F: When temperatures plummet, heavy-duty puffers become your fortress against the relentless cold.
Freezing or frost occurs when the air temperature falls below the freezing point of water (0 °C, 32 °F, 273 K).
In general, the ideal room temperature and your home for both efficiency and comfort fall somewhere between 68° and 76°F. What should the average room temperature be in winter?