In the garret.
Some weeks later. Rodolfo and Marcello attempt without success to concentrate on their art. But their minds are heavy only with thoughts of Mimì and Musetta, who are both absent. The two friends are trying to dissimulate their sadness («O Mimì, tu più non torni») when Schaunard and Colline arrive, bringing a few meagre supplies. The quartet pretend to feast cheerfully with what little they have. But the scene is interrupted by the sudden entry of Musetta, who has brought with her Mimì, now desperately ill. Rodolfo
lowers Mimì onto the bed and clasps her hands to warm them.

Musetta sends out Marcello to sell her ear-rings to buy a cordial and to call a doctor, while she herself goes off to look for a muff. Colline sacrifices his old overcoat («Vecchia zimarra») and goes out with Schaunard to pawn it. Mimì is left alone with Rodolfo («Sono andati? Fingevo di dormire»), to whom she makes her last heartrending declaration of love. Together they remember the happiness of their first encounter, when Mimì realised that Rodolfo had hidden her key but pretended she had not noticed. Their friends re-enter. Mimì drowses and gently dies, leaving Rodolfo in despair.