# Temperature

> A sampling setting that controls how random a model's word choices are: lower values are steadier, higher values more varied.

Source: Promptea — https://www.promptea.me/en/glossary/temperature · Language: English · Last updated: 2026-11-09

## What it means

- Definition: at each step a model assigns a probability to every possible next token. Temperature reshapes those probabilities — low values concentrate on the most likely tokens, high values spread the choice out.
- Why it matters: low temperature suits extraction, classification and code, where you want the same answer each time; higher values suit brainstorming and creative drafts, where variety is the point.
- How to apply it: change it in the API or playground when the product exposes it. Some providers' reasoning models fix or ignore it, so check the current documentation of the model you use.
- If you can't control temperature, you can still push consistency with a strict output format, delimiters and one or two examples. Low temperature does not make a model correct, only more repeatable.

## Example

```text
Give me 3 alternative titles for this article.
Constraints: each <= 8 words, no clickbait, different angle each.
Article summary: [paste]
Return a numbered list only.
```

[Open in Promptea](https://www.promptea.me/en/analyzer?prompt=Give+me+3+alternative+titles+for+this+article.%0AConstraints%3A+each+%3C%3D+8+words%2C+no+clickbait%2C+different+angle+each.%0AArticle+summary%3A+%5Bpaste%5D%0AReturn+a+numbered+list+only.&purpose=text&target=gpt)

## Frequently asked questions

### What temperature should I use?

Low for tasks with one right answer (extraction, classification, code), higher for open-ended writing and idea generation. Start from the provider's default and move in small steps.

### Does temperature 0 guarantee identical answers?

No. It makes outputs much more repeatable, but providers do not promise bit-for-bit identical results, so validate the output instead of relying on it.

## Related

- [Structured output prompting: how to get reliable JSON, tables, and lists from any AI](https://www.promptea.me/en/guides/structured-output-prompting)
- [How to score and improve your prompt quality before sending it](https://www.promptea.me/en/guides/prompt-quality-scoring)
- [How to force valid JSON output (no markdown)](https://www.promptea.me/en/guides/json-output)
- [Top-p (nucleus sampling)](https://www.promptea.me/en/glossary/top-p)
- [Hallucinations](https://www.promptea.me/en/glossary/hallucinations)