Reference

Dew Point Chart — How Dew Point Temperature Affects Comfort

Stop checking relative humidity. Dew point tells you how sticky it actually feels outside — and this chart shows you exactly which range means pleasant versus, well, like you are swimming through the air.

Quick answer: a dew point of 50–60°F feels comfortable. Above 65°F it turns sticky, and above 70°F it feels oppressive.

What Is Dew Point?

Dew point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor and condensation begins. In plain English: it is the temperature where the air cannot hold any more moisture, so water droplets form. The higher the dew point, the more moisture in the air — and the muggier it feels.

Unlike relative humidity, which changes with temperature, dew point is absolute: a 65°F dew point always feels sticky, whether it is 70°F or 90°F outside. That is why meteorologists use dew point to measure comfort — it is the number that does not lie.

Dew Point Comfort Chart (°F)

Find the current dew point and read across. The comfortable band is highlighted.

Dew Point (°F)Dew Point (°C)Comfort LevelWhat It Feels Like
< 50< 10DryCrisp, no noticeable humidity. Skin may feel dry.
50 – 5510 – 13Very ComfortablePleasant, barely noticeable moisture.
55 – 6013 – 16ComfortableSlight moisture in the air, still fine for most people.
60 – 6516 – 18Slightly HumidStarting to feel sticky. Hair may begin to frizz.
65 – 7018 – 21HumidUncomfortable for most. Sweat evaporates slowly.
70 – 7521 – 24Very HumidOppressive. Hard to breathe deeply. Feels tropical.
> 75> 24OppressiveTropical, sweat does not evaporate. Stay indoors if you can.

Current dew point in your city above 65°F? That is why it feels so gross out — not the heat, the moisture. Check your city's humidity now →

Dew Point Chart in Celsius

Same comfort levels, metric scale:

Dew Point (°C)Dew Point (°F)Comfort LevelWhat It Feels Like
< 10< 50DryCrisp, no noticeable humidity. Skin may feel dry.
10 – 1350 – 55Very ComfortablePleasant, barely noticeable moisture.
13 – 1655 – 60ComfortableSlight moisture in the air, still fine for most people.
16 – 1860 – 65Slightly HumidStarting to feel sticky. Hair may begin to frizz.
18 – 2165 – 70HumidUncomfortable for most. Sweat evaporates slowly.
21 – 2470 – 75Very HumidOppressive. Hard to breathe deeply. Feels tropical.
> 24> 75OppressiveTropical, sweat does not evaporate. Stay indoors if you can.

Dew Point vs Relative Humidity — Which Matters More?

Relative humidity changes with temperature — 50% humidity at 90°F feels far muggier than 50% at 60°F, because warmer air can hold more moisture, so “50%” means different things at different temperatures.

Dew point is absolute: a 65°F dew point always feels sticky, no matter the temperature. That makes it a far more reliable measure of comfort.

Relative HumidityDew Point
Changes with temperature?YesNo
Easy to understand?Yes (like “50% full”)Takes practice
Accurate comfort gauge?MisleadingReliable
Used by meteorologists?For public forecastsFor actual analysis

Bottom line: to know how it actually feels outside, look at the dew point, not the humidity percentage.

How to Calculate Dew Point (Simple Formula)

You do not need a weather degree. This simplified formula works for most everyday situations:

Td ≈ T − ((100 − RH) / 5)
  • Td = dew point in °F
  • T = current temperature in °F
  • RH = relative humidity (as a percentage)

Example: 85°F with 60% humidity → Td ≈ 85 − (40 ÷ 5) = 77°F dew point (oppressive!)

Printable Dew Point Chart

Want a copy on the fridge or in the field? Print this page — or save it as a PDF from the print dialog. The site navigation is hidden automatically so you get a clean one-page chart.

Dew Point — Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good dew point for comfort?

A dew point between 50°F and 60°F (10–16°C) is ideal for comfort. Below 50°F feels dry, 60–65°F starts to feel sticky, 65–70°F is uncomfortably humid, and above 70°F feels oppressive.

What does 70°F dew point feel like?

A 70°F (21°C) dew point feels very humid and uncomfortable. At this level, the air holds so much moisture that sweat does not evaporate efficiently, making it feel heavy and sticky even if the temperature is not extreme.

Is dew point or humidity more accurate for comfort?

Dew point is more accurate than relative humidity for measuring comfort because it is absolute — it does not change with temperature. 50% humidity at 60°F feels dry, but 50% at 90°F feels oppressive. A dew point of 65°F always feels sticky regardless of temperature.

See the live dew point and humidity for your area on the humidity home page, check the humidity near your location, or learn the ideal indoor targets in our indoor humidity guide.