Saunas and steam rooms both make you sweat, but they feel completely different. The difference comes down to two numbers: air temperature and humidity.
The short version
| Traditional sauna | Infrared sauna | Steam room | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical air temperature | 150–195°F (65–90°C) | 120–140°F (49–60°C) | 110–120°F (43–49°C) |
| Humidity | Low, rising briefly when water hits the stones | Low | Near 100% |
| How it heats you | Hot air from a stove | Infrared panels warm you directly | Steam from a generator |
| Feels like | Dry, strong heat | Gentle, slow build | Wet, heavy air; foggy |
| Where you find it | Gyms, bathhouses, social saunas | Sauna studios, some gyms | Gyms, spas, hammams |
Temperatures vary by venue; these are the ranges most commonly quoted by operators.
How a sauna works
A traditional sauna heats a wood-lined room with an electric or wood-burning stove topped with stones. The air is dry, so sweat evaporates and you can tolerate much higher temperatures than in steam. Throwing water on the stones — called löyly in Finnish — sends a wave of hotter, moister air through the room for a minute or two. See infrared vs traditional saunas for the other main kind.
How a steam room works
A steam room is a sealed, tiled room filled by a steam generator. It runs much cooler than a sauna, but at near-total humidity your sweat cannot evaporate, so it feels just as hot. Turkish hammams are built around steam; many gyms have a small steam room next to the sauna.
Which to choose
- You find dry heat harsh on your nose or throat: try a steam room.
- You want short, intense rounds with cool-downs in between: a traditional sauna.
- You want a milder, longer session, often in a private room: an infrared sauna.
Hygiene matters more in steam rooms, where warm, wet surfaces are the norm: sit on a towel and wear sandals. Our etiquette guide covers the unwritten rules.
A note on health
Large observational studies from Finland have linked frequent sauna bathing with lower rates of cardiovascular death (Laukkanen et al., JAMA Internal Medicine, 2015). Observational studies show associations, not cause and effect, and they studied traditional Finnish saunas, not steam rooms. Heat is not suitable for everyone: if you are pregnant or have a heart condition, low blood pressure or another health concern, ask a doctor first.
Ready to try one? Find a sauna near you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a sauna or steam room hotter?
A sauna is hotter: traditional saunas usually run around 150–195°F, steam rooms around 110–120°F. The steam room feels intense because the air is close to 100% humid, so sweat cannot evaporate to cool you.
Which is better, sauna or steam room?
Neither is better for everyone. People who like dry, strong heat and short rounds tend to prefer a sauna; people who find dry heat harsh on the throat often prefer steam. Many bathhouses offer both, so you can try each.
Can you use a sauna and steam room on the same day?
Many bathhouse visitors do, with breaks, water and cooling off in between. Keep each round short, and leave if you feel dizzy or unwell.