Forging temperature is the temperature at which a metal becomes substantially more soft, but is lower than the melting temperature, such that it can be reshaped by forging.^[1] Bringing a metal to its forging temperature allows the metal's shape to be changed by applying a relatively small force, without creating cracks. For most metals, forging temperature is approximately 70% of the absolute temperature (usually measured in kelvins) of its melting point.^{[citation needed]}

Selecting the maximum forging temperature allows metals to be forged more easily, lowering the forging pressure and thus the wear on metal-forming dies.^[2] The temperature at which a metal is forged can affect the homogeneity in microstructure and mechanical properties of forged products, which can highly affect the performance of products used in manufacturing.^[3]