What Are the Ideal Refrigerator and Freezer Temperatures?

The ideal temperature for a refrigerator is between 34 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the ideal temperature for a freezer is at least 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Although this temperature keeps food safe in a freezer, food quality sometimes benefits when the freezer is lowered to -10 or -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

The portion of the refrigerator that is closest to the freezer usually is slightly colder than the rest of the unit, and meat and milk should be stored there. Frost-free freezers have temperatures that vary slightly because the unit warms occasionally to avoid ice buildup, and this feature can diminish food quality.