Guides /International Conversions
Oven temperature
conversion.
°C · °F · Fan/convection · Gas mark — all four in one table, from the lowest meringue oven to maximum pizza heat.
| °F | °C (standard) | °C (fan) | Gas mark | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250°F | 120°C | 100°C | ½ | Very low — meringues, slow drying |
| 275°F | 135°C | 115°C | 1 | Very low — fruitcakes, slow roasting |
| 300°F | 150°C | 130°C | 2 | Low — slow roasts, custards |
| 325°F | 165°C | 145°C | 3 | Low-medium — cheesecakes, braised meats |
| 350°F | 175°C | 155°C | 4 | Medium — cakes, cookies, casseroles |
| 375°F | 190°C | 170°C | 5 | Medium-high — quick breads, pies |
| 400°F | 205°C | 185°C | 6 | Hot — roasted vegetables, sheet-pan |
| 425°F | 220°C | 200°C | 7 | Very hot — pizza, crispy potatoes |
| 450°F | 230°C | 210°C | 8 | High — artisan bread, searing |
| 475°F | 245°C | 225°C | 9 | Very high — Neapolitan pizza |
| 500°F | 260°C | 240°C | 10 | Max oven — pizza steel, cast iron |
°C = (°F − 32) × 5⁄9 · Fan/convection runs ~20°C / 35°F hotter than the standard setting
Standard vs fan/convection
A fan-assisted (convection) oven uses a fan to circulate hot air, cooking food more evenly and efficiently. It runs about 20°C / 35°F hotter than the displayed temperature compared to a conventional oven, or the manufacturer may calibrate it so you set the temperature 20°C lower than a conventional recipe specifies. If a UK recipe gives both temperatures — e.g., "200°C / 180°C fan" — use 180°C if you have convection; use 200°C if you don't. Most US ovens have a convection option; the standard setting is conventional.
Gas marks (UK and older recipes)
Gas mark numbers appear in British recipes from before the 1980s and in some current UK publications. Gas Mark 4 ≈ 350°F / 180°C — the most commonly called-for temperature in British baking. Gas Mark 7 ≈ 425°F / 220°C for very hot work. Gas ovens run hotter at the top and cooler at the bottom; rotating pans halfway through is especially important.
Oven calibration
Most home ovens are off by 10–25°F / 5–15°C, and few display the actual internal temperature accurately. An inexpensive oven thermometer placed on the center rack gives a much more reliable reading than the dial or display. If your cakes consistently over-brown before the center sets, your oven likely runs hot — calibrate with a thermometer or reduce the set temperature by 10–15°F / 5–8°C.
Temperature and browning: the Maillard reaction
Browning in baked goods happens via two mechanisms: the Maillard reaction (proteins + sugars, starting around 280°F / 140°C) and caramelization (sugars alone, starting around 320°F / 160°C). This is why oven temperature dramatically affects crust colour. Recipes with high sugar content — caramel, honey cakes, meringue — brown faster than expected at conventional temperatures. If a high-sugar recipe is browning too quickly, tent it with foil partway through rather than reducing the temperature, which can affect the rise and internal structure.
Converting recipe temperatures when travelling internationally
Most UK and Australian recipe books give temperatures in Celsius; most US recipes use Fahrenheit. The quick mental conversion: °C × 2 + 30 gives a rough Fahrenheit equivalent (e.g., 180°C × 2 + 30 = 390, close enough to the actual 356°F). For precision, use the exact formula: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. The table above handles every common baking temperature so you don't need to calculate — just match the °C or °F column to find the corresponding value in whichever system your oven uses.
Frequently asked questions
- What is 350°F in Celsius?
- 350°F = 175°C (standard oven) / 155°C fan. This is the most common baking temperature for cakes and cookies.
- What is 180°C in Fahrenheit?
- 180°C = 356°F, which rounds to 350°F in most recipes. Gas mark 4. This is the standard medium baking temperature used in most UK and Australian baking recipes.
- How do I convert Celsius to Fahrenheit for oven temperatures?
- Formula: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. For a quick mental estimate: multiply °C by 2 and add 30 (e.g. 180°C × 2 + 30 = 390, close to the actual 356°F).
- What is fan/convection temperature vs standard temperature?
- A fan-assisted (convection) oven runs about 20°C / 35°F hotter than a standard oven at the same setting. When a UK recipe gives "200°C / 180°C fan," use 180°C if you have convection, 200°C if you don't.
- What is Gas Mark 4 in Celsius and Fahrenheit?
- Gas Mark 4 = 180°C = 356°F (approximately 350°F). It is the standard medium baking temperature for cakes, cookies, and casseroles in older British recipes.
Scale and convert your full recipe
Paste your ingredient list and switch between metric and imperial units — including any temperature-related quantities.