A leopard gecko tank needs a warm spot of 90 to 95°F on the floor, a cool side of 70 to 77°F, and no lower than about 60°F at night. The air on the warm side should sit around 80 to 85°F. Measure the floor with a probe thermometer or temperature gun, and control every heat source with a thermostat. Leopard geckos digest their food by lying on warm ground, so belly heat matters more than air temperature.
Below is a temperature chart, night temperatures, how to measure and control heat, signs your gecko is too hot or too cold, and the humidity to aim for.
Leopard gecko temperature chart
| Where | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Warm spot floor (under the warm hide) | 90 to 95°F | Can drop to room temperature, no lower than about 60°F |
| Warm side air | 80 to 85°F | 65 to 75°F |
| Cool side | 70 to 77°F | 65 to 70°F |
| Lowest safe temperature | About 60°F. Below that, add heat that gives off no light | |
| Too hot | Anything above about 100°F on the floor | |
The gradient matters as much as the numbers. Your gecko moves between the warm and cool ends to control its own body temperature, so it needs both. Babies and adults need the same temperatures.
Leopard gecko temperature at night
Leopard geckos come from the deserts and dry grasslands of Pakistan, Afghanistan and northwest India, where nights get much cooler than days. A drop at night is natural and healthy. Turn off any heat lamp at night along with the lights.
- Room above 65°F at night: no extra heat needed. A heat mat on a thermostat can stay on overnight if you use one.
- Room between 60 and 65°F: fine for a healthy adult, but keep a heat mat on overnight so your gecko can warm up if it wants.
- Room below 60°F: add heat that gives off no light, such as a heat mat or a ceramic heat emitter, on a thermostat.
Avoid red and blue "night" bulbs. Geckos can see them and they disturb sleep. Our leopard gecko heat lamp and UVB guide covers night heat in more detail.
How to measure the temperature
The stick-on dial thermometers sold with many tanks are often 10°F or more out, and they measure the glass, not the floor. Use:
- A digital probe thermometer with the probe on the floor of the warm spot. Many also show humidity.
- An infrared temperature gun to spot check the warm spot, the cool side and inside the hides. It reads surfaces, which is exactly what your gecko feels.
Check temperatures at both ends at least once a week, and whenever the seasons change and your home gets warmer or colder.
Use a thermostat on every heat source
A heat mat or heat lamp without a thermostat can reach well over 100°F and burn your gecko. A thermostat reads the temperature through a probe and turns the heat down or off when it gets too warm.
- For a heat mat: an on/off or dimming thermostat with the probe on the floor above the mat, under the warm hide. Set it to about 92°F.
- For a heat lamp: a dimming thermostat with probe, so the bulb doesn't flash on and off. Put the probe on the floor of the basking spot.
Our heat mat and thermostat guide compares the best thermostats and shows how to fit one.
Signs your leopard gecko is too hot or too cold
| Too cold | Too hot |
|---|---|
| Sluggish, hardly moves at night | Hides on the cool side all the time |
| Won't eat, or regurgitates food | Gaping with its mouth open |
| Undigested insects in its poop | Pressed flat against the cool glass |
| Sits on the warm spot constantly and still feels cool | Burns or red patches on its belly |
If your gecko seems unwell, check the floor temperature first. Most appetite and digestion problems in leopard geckos come back to a warm spot that is too cool. If the temperatures are right and it still won't eat, see a reptile vet.
Leopard gecko humidity
Keep the tank at 30 to 40% humidity, with a humid hide at 70 to 80% inside for shedding. Too much humidity in a warm tank can cause respiratory infections, while very dry air can cause stuck shed. Our leopard gecko humidity guide has the full detail.
Leopard gecko temperature FAQ
What temperature should a leopard gecko tank be?
A warm spot of 90 to 95°F on the floor, a cool side of 70 to 77°F, and no lower than about 60°F at night. The air on the warm side should be about 80 to 85°F.
What temperature should a leopard gecko tank be at night?
It can drop to normal room temperature, ideally 65 to 75°F. Only add heat at night if the room falls below about 60°F, and use heat that gives off no light.
What is too cold for a leopard gecko?
Below about 60°F for long periods is too cold. Your gecko will stop eating and digesting properly, so add a heat mat or ceramic heat emitter on a thermostat.
What is too hot for a leopard gecko?
Floor temperatures above about 100°F are too hot and can burn your gecko. Air temperatures that stay above 90°F across the whole tank are also too hot.
Do leopard geckos need heat at night?
Only if your room drops below about 60°F. A natural drop at night is healthy. Turn off heat lamps at night and use a heat mat or ceramic heat emitter if extra warmth is needed.
How do I check my leopard gecko's tank temperature?
Use a digital probe thermometer with the probe on the floor of the warm spot, and an infrared temperature gun to spot check the warm side, cool side and hides. Stick-on dial thermometers are not accurate enough.
Setting up for a new gecko? See our leopard gecko starter kit checklist for everything else you need.