How can I monitor the CPU temperature on a Raspberry Pi?
Here are three ways you can measure the CPU temperature of your Raspberry Pi.
Basic CPU temps via Terminal
In Terminal, use
For a single temperature measurement, execute this command. To establish ongoing thermal monitoring of your Raspberry Pi at predetermined intervals, implement the following syntax:
Utilize the -n parameter to specify the temporal gap between consecutive measurements. This example configuration establishes a two-second interval between each temperature reading.
The combined implementation of watch and vcgencmd commands provides comprehensive thermal monitoring capabilities for your Raspberry Pi system, enabling precise temperature assessment.
To add a temperature reading to your taskbar by…
-Right click on the taskbar
-Click “Add / Remove Panel items”
-Click “Add”
-Scroll down and select “Temperature Monitor”
-Click “Add”
Now, you should see a temperature reading on your taskbar that’s in lime green.
You can change the colours by right clicking on the numbers and clicking “Temperature Monitor Settings”.
Monitor Raspberry Pi temperatures online with PiCockpit
A handy-dandy tool that would benefit you greatly is our online tool, PiCockpit.
The PiStats module within PiCockpit delivers advanced thermal analytics, offering both graphical temperature trending and instantaneous thermal readings of your processor.
PiStats is a free tool for up to five Raspberry Pi.
Implementation requires establishing a PiCockpit account and deploying the application via a single-line installation script on each Raspberry Pi device designated for thermal monitoring.
What temperatures should I watch for?
The primary concern with elevated thermal conditions is the automatic CPU frequency reduction mechanism that activates when the Raspberry Pi detects excessive temperatures, implemented as a protective thermal management strategy.
Thermal thresholds vary across Raspberry Pi models, but performance throttling becomes a significant consideration when thermal readings exceed 60 degrees Celsius on any board configuration.
The Raspberry Pi 3+ implements a graduated thermal management protocol, initiating moderate frequency reduction at 60 degrees Celsius, followed by more aggressive performance throttling when temperatures reach the critical 80-degree threshold.
The Raspberry Pi 4 exhibits enhanced thermal tolerance, with initial frequency modulation occurring at 80 degrees Celsius, followed by more substantial clock rate reduction when thermal readings approach 85 degrees Celsius.
To determine if thermal throttling has been activated on your Raspberry Pi, execute the vcgencmd get_throttled command. The resulting hexadecimal output can be decoded according to the interpretive framework developed by JsBergbau in response to Alasdair Allan's documentation from the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
What can I do to cool my Raspberry Pi?
Certain Raspberry Pi models operate within acceptable thermal parameters without supplementary cooling solutions. In my professional testing, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 has demonstrated particularly effective thermal performance in its standard configuration without additional heat dissipation mechanisms.
However, with the Raspberry Pi 3+, I found that I needed to have at least a heat sink on it.
The Raspberry Pi 4's thermal profile necessitates active cooling implementation; empirical testing demonstrates that without forced air circulation, the processor consistently reaches thermal thresholds that trigger performance throttling mechanisms.
To reduce temperatures on the Raspberry Pi, try these:
-Place your Raspberry Pi vertically
-Install a heatsink
-Install a fan
-Remove the case
-Use a heat-dissipating case like a FLIRC case
-Put your Raspberry Pi in Canada*
https://remoteiot.com/blog/monitor-cpu-temperature-and-status-of-raspberry-pi.html