Guide
Oven temperatures explained: Fahrenheit, Celsius, fan and gas mark
A recipe written in the US uses Fahrenheit for a conventional oven. A UK or Australian recipe usually uses Celsius and often assumes a fan oven. Mixing these up is one of the easiest ways to burn the outside of a bake before the middle is done.
Full conversion chart
| Fahrenheit | Celsius | Fan oven | Gas mark | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 275°F | 140°C | 120°C | 1 | Very low: meringues, slow drying |
| 300°F | 150°C | 130°C | 2 | Low: slow roasts, custards |
| 325°F | 160°C | 140°C | 3 | Moderately low: cheesecake, rich fruit cake |
| 350°F | 180°C | 160°C | 4 | Moderate: most cakes, cookies, casseroles |
| 375°F | 190°C | 170°C | 5 | Moderately hot: muffins, pies |
| 400°F | 200°C | 180°C | 6 | Hot: roasted vegetables, bread |
| 425°F | 220°C | 200°C | 7 | Very hot: crispy potatoes, puff pastry |
| 450°F | 230°C | 210°C | 8 | Very hot: pizza, quick roasting |
| 475°F | 245°C | 225°C | 9 | Hottest home setting |
Recipes round Celsius to the nearest 10 degrees, so 350°F is written as 180°C even though the exact figure is 177°C. That rounding doesn’t matter in practice.
Fan (convection) ovens
A fan moves hot air around the food, so it cooks faster and browns more. The usual adjustment is 20°C or about 25°F lower than a conventional setting, or the same temperature with the time checked 10–15 minutes early. If a UK recipe says “180°C (160°C fan)”, use 160°C only when the fan is on.
Why your oven might not match the dial
Many home ovens run 15–25°F hot or cool. An inexpensive oven thermometer on the middle rack tells you the real temperature. If cookies keep browning before they set, your oven probably runs hot. Lower the dial rather than shortening the time.