New parent? Staring at a sleep sack tag and thinking, "TOG? What's that?" You're not alone, it's one of those insider parenting lingo bombs that hits post-baby. Pre-kids, it sounds like sci-fi. Post? It's on every swaddle and forum. Totally normal to be clueless at first; we all Google it at 3 a.m.

This quick guide breaks down TOG ratings, picks the right one for your nursery's temp, and drops a simple chart for foolproof cozy sleeps. You'll master it in minutes. Ready? Let's go!

What does TOG mean?

TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade — a rating that measures how much warmth a piece of clothing or bedding holds in. The higher the TOG, the warmer the item. Australian baby sleepwear typically runs from 0.2 TOG (light summer layers) to 3.5 TOG (cold winter rooms), so you can match warmth to the room instead of guessing.

In Australia, typically our baby clothing ranges from around 0.2 TOG up to 1.0 TOG, although the majority of onesies are typically around 0.2 TOG (if they're not labeled - looking at you Bonds!). Our sleep suits are typically around 0.2 TOG up to 3.5 TOG.

What do I do with the TOG number?

The TOG is a great way to try and bring some consistency to dressing your baby for sleep. Typically the recommendation given to us is "dress them with one extra layer than you'd dress yourself". While that sounds great on the surface, it doesn't take long to realise that even two adults in the same house can dress wildly differently for the current temperature.

Enter the TOG chart

The TOG chart is an attempt at mapping the rough temperature to a warmth level, giving some consistency around how to dress your baby for sleep.

If you find the above chart a little confusing (like most), check out our how-to guide on reading the TOG chart.

TOG chart: which TOG for which room temperature?

Prefer it in words? Same chart, as a table:

Room temperature overnight	Sleeping bag	What goes underneath
Below 15°C	3.5 TOG	1.0 TOG romper + singlet
15–17°C	3.5 or 2.5 TOG	0.2 romper + singlet (with the 3.5) / 1.0 romper + singlet (with the 2.5)
17–19°C	2.5 or 3.5 TOG	1.0 romper (with the 2.5) / 0.2 romper (with the 3.5)
19–21°C	1.0 or 2.5 TOG	1.0 romper (with the 1.0) / 0.2 romper + singlet (with the 2.5)
21–23°C	1.0 or 0.2 TOG	0.2 romper (with the 1.0) / 1.0 romper + singlet (with the 0.2)
23–25°C	0.2 or 1.0 TOG	0.2 romper (with the 0.2) / singlet (with the 1.0)
Above 25°C	0.2 TOG	Singlet, or nothing extra

This matches Red Nose's advice for sleeping bags: choose the TOG that suits the room's temperature. There's no magic room temperature to chase — the trick is matching the clothing to the room you've actually got.

Dressing for the colder months? We've broken it down room by room in our winter dressing guide.

If you'd like some more information, check out our handy tips and tricks on getting your baby ready for sleep.

FAQ

What does TOG stand for?

TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade — a rating that measures how much warmth a piece of clothing or bedding holds in. The higher the TOG, the warmer the item. Baby sleepwear typically runs from 0.2 TOG for summer up to 3.5 TOG for cold winter rooms.

What are common TOG numbers for sleep sacks?

0.2/1.0/2.5/3.5 TOG

Is it common for a jumpsuit/onesie/romper to be TOG rated?

Not common, but recommended.

My jumpsuit/onesie/romper isn't TOG rated - what do I do?

Ideally purchase at least one TOG rated layer to be sure you've got a good understanding of the level of warmth provided and knowing how your baby responds. It can help to eliminate a layer of confusion.

What TOG should baby wear in a 20-degree room?

A 1.0 TOG bag over a 1.0 TOG romper — or a 2.5 TOG bag over a 0.2 romper and singlet. Same warmth, two routes.

Do TOG ratings add up when you layer?

Roughly, yes — a 1.0 TOG bag over a 1.0 TOG romper lands warmer than either alone. That's the maths the chart (and the Goldilocks) does for you.

Does TOG change with the seasons?

Only via the room. A Brisbane winter nursery can need a lower TOG than a Canberra autumn one — go by tonight's room temperature, not the calendar. Winter rooms: see our winter dressing guide.

Looking for a "TOG clock"?

You've found it — a "TOG clock" is what many parents call a nursery display that reads the room temperature and shows what TOG to dress baby in. That's the Goldilocks: it reads your nursery, predicts tonight's overnight low, and shows the sleepwear combination on screen.