---
title: The Thermistor
description: "**What Is A Thermistor?** A thermistor is a type of temperature sensor commonly used in hotends for 3D printers. It is a small device that measures the temperature of the hotend and sends this information back to the printer's control…"
url: "https://hotends.com/kb/the-thermistor/"
updated: "2022-12-12"
category: Glossary
---

# The Thermistor

**What Is A Thermistor?**

A thermistor is a type of temperature sensor commonly used in hotends for 3D printers. It is a small device that measures the temperature of the hotend and sends this information back to the printer's control board. This allows the printer to maintain a consistent and accurate temperature for the hotend, which is important for producing high-quality prints.

The thermistor is typically attached to the hotend using a piece of insulating material, such as a silicone sleeve or heat-resistant tape. Some hotends may have the thermistor built-in, while others require it to be installed separately.

![](https://hotends.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/thermistor-100k.jpg)