Oven Temperature Guide — Fahrenheit, Celsius & Gas Mark
Whether you're following a British recipe that calls for Gas Mark 5 or converting a Celsius temperature to Fahrenheit for your American oven, knowing your oven temperatures is essential for successful cooking and baking. This guide covers everything you need to know, including the conversion formulas, a full reference table, and temperature recommendations for common foods.
The Conversion Formulas
Fahrenheit to Celsius: °C = (°F − 32) × 5 ÷ 9
Celsius to Fahrenheit: °F = (°C × 9 ÷ 5) + 32
Gas Mark to Fahrenheit: °F = (Gas Mark × 25) + 250
Complete Oven Temperature Conversion Table
| Description | °Fahrenheit | °Celsius | Gas Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Cool / Very Low | 225°F | 110°C | ¼ |
| Very Cool | 250°F | 120°C | ½ |
| Cool / Low | 275°F | 135°C | 1 |
| Cool | 300°F | 150°C | 2 |
| Warm | 325°F | 165°C | 3 |
| Moderate | 350°F | 175°C | 4 |
| Moderately Hot | 375°F | 190°C | 5 |
| Hot | 400°F | 200°C | 6 |
| Hot | 425°F | 220°C | 7 |
| Very Hot | 450°F | 230°C | 8 |
| Very Hot | 475°F | 245°C | 9 |
| Extremely Hot / Broil | 500°F | 260°C | 10 |
Recommended Temperatures for Common Foods
Baking
| Item | °F | °C |
|---|---|---|
| Cheesecake | 325°F | 165°C |
| Cookies | 350–375°F | 175–190°C |
| Cakes (layer) | 350°F | 175°C |
| Muffins & quick breads | 375–400°F | 190–200°C |
| Yeast bread | 375–400°F | 190–200°C |
| Puff pastry / croissants | 400–425°F | 200–220°C |
| Pizza | 450–500°F | 230–260°C |
Meat & Poultry
| Item | Oven Temp (°F) | Internal Temp (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Whole chicken | 425°F | 165°F internal |
| Chicken breasts | 400°F | 165°F internal |
| Turkey | 325°F | 165°F internal |
| Beef roast (medium) | 325°F | 145°F internal |
| Pork loin | 350°F | 145°F internal |
| Salmon / fish | 400°F | 145°F internal |
Vegetables & Other
| Item | °F | °C |
|---|---|---|
| Roasted vegetables | 400–425°F | 200–220°C |
| Baked potato | 400°F | 200°C |
| Casseroles | 350°F | 175°C |
| Quiche / egg dishes | 325–350°F | 165–175°C |
Fan / Convection Oven Adjustments
If your oven has a convection or fan setting, it circulates hot air and cooks more efficiently than a standard oven. As a general rule, reduce the temperature by 25°F (15°C) when using convection, or reduce the cooking time by about 25%. Many experienced bakers do both — reducing temperature and time slightly.
Convection rule of thumb: Reduce recipe temperature by 25°F (15°C) OR reduce cooking time by 20–25%. Don't do both unless you're experienced with your specific oven.
Why Oven Temperatures Vary
Even if your oven says it's at 350°F, it may not actually be. Ovens cycle on and off to maintain temperature, which means the actual temperature fluctuates throughout baking. Most home ovens are accurate to within about ±25°F. If your baked goods consistently come out overdone or underdone, consider buying an inexpensive oven thermometer — it can make a dramatic difference.
- Place an oven thermometer in the center of the rack
- Preheat for at least 20 minutes before checking
- Note the difference between the set temperature and the actual reading
- Adjust your settings accordingly going forward
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