Induction tempering is a heat-treat process which is normally performed after induction-hardening. The heating principle is the same but induction tempering is performed at a lower temperature in order to reach a desired hardness range or to add toughness to the part by increasing ductility.

Tempering of hardened steels is a function of both time and temperature. Induction tempering uses shorter heating times (usually only seconds) and higher temperature to produce results equivalent to furnace tempering treatments that often require hours.