What does hFE mean on a multimeter and what is it exactly for?

[Inventor man]

It is an option on the multimeter, I have read a little bit saying it has to do with transistors and it is a "test" for it...

 

[phinds]

Yeah, it has something to do with current gain in transistors, but I don't remember the details. I'm sure someone here will jump in with a solid answer.

 

[axemaster]

hFE is the forward current gain of the bipolar junction transistor. There should be a socket or something on your multimeter to plug in the transistor.

 

[nsaspook]

It's part of the hybrid model for two port transistor circuits. Hfe is just one parameter of many but it's one of the most important for small signal analysis and is easy to measure and use.
http://www.daenotes.com/electronics/devices-circuits/hybrid-equivalent-ce-transistor