The Finger Test – How to Cook Your Steak to Perfection

You don’t need an expensive thermometer to check your steak’s doneness. With the simple finger test, even beginners can tell whether their steak is rare, medium, or well done. All you need is — your own hand!

1 min read

How the Finger Test Works

1) Use Your Hand as a Reference

Place one hand relaxed in front of you and use a finger from your other hand to press on the soft pad below your thumb.

Hand relaxed (thumb not touching fingers): very soft → rare.
Thumb + index finger: soft, slightly springy → medium-rare.
Thumb + middle finger: medium firmness → medium.
Thumb + ring finger: firm → medium-well.
Thumb + little finger: very firm → well done.

2) Test the Steak

Now gently press the center of your steak with a finger or grill tongs:

Very soft, gives easily: rare.
Soft with a bit of resistance: medium-rare.
Moderately firm: medium.
Firm, almost no give: well done.

👉 Tip: Always test in the center of the steak, not at the edges — the outer parts are naturally firmer.

3) Let It Rest

After cooking, wrap your steak loosely in foil and let it rest for about 5 minutes.
This allows the juices to redistribute evenly, and the meat will continue to cook slightly — the internal temperature can rise by about 2–3°C.

Pro Tip

If you want to double-check for precision, use a meat thermometer:

Rare: 50–52°C (122–125°F)
Medium-rare: 54–57°C (129–135°F)
Medium: 60–63°C (140–145°F)
Well done: 70°C+ (158°F+)

With a bit of practice, you’ll quickly develop a natural feel for the perfect steak doneness — no fancy tools required!