Oven recipes use Fahrenheit, Celsius or gas marks depending on where they were written. The table below gives common settings side by side, rounded the way most ovens are marked. Treat each as a first guide and check your oven’s manual.
The Conversion Table
| Fahrenheit | Celsius | Gas mark | Typical description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 F | 120 C | 1/2 | Very low, drying and slow cooking |
| 275 F | 140 C | 1 | Low, slow braises and meringues |
| 300 F | 150 C | 2 | Low, rich cakes and egg puddings |
| 325 F | 160 C | 3 | Moderately low, fruit cakes |
| 350 F | 180 C | 4 | Moderate, general baking |
| 375 F | 190 C | 5 | Moderately hot, cookies and bakes |
| 400 F | 200 C | 6 | Hot, roasting and pastry |
| 425 F | 220 C | 7 | Hot, bread and vegetables |
| 450 F | 230 C | 8 | Very hot, pizza and finishing |
| 475 F | 240 C | 9 | Extremely hot, short bakes |
Doing the Math Yourself
- From Fahrenheit to Celsius: subtract 32, then multiply by 5 and divide by 9.
- From Celsius to Fahrenheit: multiply by 9, divide by 5, then add 32.
- Round to the nearest 5 or 10, because oven dials rarely mark finer steps.
Example: 350 F minus 32 is 318, times 5 is 1590, divided by 9 is about 177 C, which most recipes round to 180 C.
Fan and Convection Ovens
Fan ovens move hot air around, so food cooks faster. Many recipes advise lowering the temperature by about 20 C (25 F), or shortening the time, but the right adjustment depends on your oven. Check the manual and the maker’s guide to bakeware, then watch the first batch closely.
Is Your Oven Telling the Truth?
- Place an oven thermometer on the middle rack and preheat for the full time.
- Compare the reading with the dial and note the difference.
- Adjust your setting to match, or ask a qualified technician if the gap is large.
- Remember that ovens swing up and down as they cycle, so a small variation is normal.
Pan Effects
Dark pans and thin sheets brown faster, glass holds heat longer and light metal reflects it. Some recipes suggest reducing the temperature by 25 F for glass or dark pans. Follow the recipe and the maker’s guide for your bakeware.
FAQ
What do “moderate” and “hot” mean in old recipes?
Moderate usually means around 350 to 375 F (180 to 190 C), and hot is about 400 to 450 F (200 to 230 C).
Does the conversion apply to doneness temperatures?
The formulas do, but for meat, poultry and egg dishes follow official food-safety guidance for internal temperatures.
The Short Version
Use the table to switch scales, round to your dial and confirm with a thermometer. Adjust for fan ovens and bakeware, and watch the first bake. Bookmark this page or copy the table onto a card, since the same handful of temperatures cover most home baking and roasting.