The mean time for measuring 47 febrile oral temperature readings was compared to that required for 47 afebrile readings. Febrile readings required an average of 6.21 minutes and afebrile readings required 8.21 minutes. The difference was significant (p < .001). For 42 matched rectal temperature readings, there was no significant difference in the average times for measuring febrile and afebrile readings (2.09 and 2.29 minutes, respectively). There were considerable differences in the individual times for measuring oral readings, but less variation was present for rectal readings.