The widest application of magnetic fluid is in magnetic fluid seals. The starting torque varying with temperature of magnetic fluid seal has limited its application in special seal field such as military industry. This paper firstly measure the starting torque of magnetic fluid seals under different temperature conditions from −55 oC to 70 ℃ after holding for 2.5 hours in a closed environment with uniform temperature. And the law of starting torque with temperature change is studied experimentally. The results show that the starting torque of the magnetic fluid seal changes unobvious at 25 ℃ or higher temperature. The starting toque of magnetic fluid seal increases with the decrease of temperature, and the causes of which are analyzed. The results of this study provide experimental and theoretical reference for reducing the staring torque of magnetic fluid seal in low temperature environment.