Baking Temperature Guide
Complete baking temperature reference — Celsius, Fahrenheit, gas mark, and fan oven settings at a glance. Covers all common baking temperatures plus a food-specific guide for cakes, bread, pastry, and more.
Oven temperature is one of the most common points of confusion when cooking from international recipes. British recipes use Celsius and gas marks; American recipes use Fahrenheit; older British recipes may use gas mark alone. On top of that, fan ovens run hotter than conventional ovens, so a temperature written for a conventional oven needs to be reduced for a fan setting.
The most important baking temperature to know is 180°C (Gas Mark 4 / 350°F) — a moderate heat used for Victoria sponge, most cakes, cookies, biscuits, and general baking. Everything above 200°C (Gas Mark 6) counts as a hot oven: used for bread, puff pastry, and roasting. Below 160°C (Gas Mark 3) is a slow oven: used for shortbread, cheesecakes, meringue, and long-cooked fruit cakes.
Oven Temperature Conversion Chart
Conventional oven temperatures across all systems. Fan oven column shows the standard −20°C adjustment.
| Description | °C | °F | Gas Mark | Fan °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very Cool | 120°C | 248°F | ½ | 100°C |
| Cool | 140°C | 275°F | 1 | 120°C |
| Slow | 150°C | 302°F | 2 | 130°C |
| Warm | 160°C | 320°F | 3 | 140°C |
| Moderatemost common | 180°C | 356°F | 4 | 160°C |
| Moderately Hot | 190°C | 374°F | 5 | 170°C |
| Hot | 200°C | 392°F | 6 | 180°C |
| Very Hot | 220°C | 428°F | 7 | 200°C |
| Extremely Hot | 230°C | 446°F | 8 | 210°C |
| Hottest / Grill | 240°C | 464°F | 9 | 220°C |
Fan °C = conventional °C minus 20°C. Some manufacturers recommend −15°C — check your oven manual. Use the fan oven converter →
Baking Temperatures by Food
Conventional oven temperatures and approximate cooking times for common baked goods and roasts. Fan oven users: subtract 20°C from the °C column.
| Food | °C | °F | Gas | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Sponge / Layer Cake | 180°C | 350°F | 4 | 25–30 min |
| Cupcakes & Muffins | 180°C | 350°F | 4 | 18–22 min |
| Cookies & Biscuits | 180°C | 350°F | 4 | 10–14 min |
| Shortbread | 160°C | 325°F | 3 | 20–25 min |
| Cheesecake | 160°C | 325°F | 3 | 50–70 min |
| White Bread / Loaf | 220°C | 425°F | 7 | 25–35 min |
| Bread Rolls | 200°C | 400°F | 6 | 15–20 min |
| Pastry (shortcrust, blind) | 190°C | 375°F | 5 | 20–35 min |
| Puff Pastry | 200°C | 400°F | 6 | 15–25 min |
| Pizza | 220°C | 425°F | 7 | 12–15 min |
| Meringue (drying out) | 110°C | 230°F | ¼ | 1–2 hr |
| Rich Fruit Cake (Christmas) | 140°C | 275°F | 1 | 2½–5 hr |
| Roast Chicken | 200°C | 400°F | 6 | 20 min/kg + 20 min |
| Roast Beef / Lamb | 200°C | 400°F | 6 | 20–25 min/kg |
Times are approximate and vary by oven and ingredient quantity. Always use a thermometer or skewer test to check doneness.
Fan Oven vs Conventional Oven
Fan ovens (also called convection ovens) use a fan to circulate hot air around the food. This makes them more efficient — the moving air removes the layer of cool, moist air that surrounds food, so it cooks faster and more evenly than in a conventional oven where heat rises from the element.
The standard adjustment is reduce temperature by 20°C (35°F). A recipe written for 200°C conventional should be cooked at 180°C in a fan oven. Cooking times may also be 10–15% shorter, so start checking a few minutes early.
Fan ovens are better for: roasting, baking multiple trays at once, pastry, and anything where even browning matters. Conventional ovens can be preferable for: delicate soufflés, custards, and anything where you want gentle, radiant heat.
Tips for Accurate Oven Temperatures
Fan ovens circulate air and cook more evenly — reduce the temperature by 20°C (35°F) versus a conventional recipe. If the recipe says 200°C conventional, use 180°C fan.
Most home ovens run 10–25°C off their dial setting. An inexpensive oven thermometer (£5–10) is one of the best investments for consistent baking.
Always preheat your oven fully before placing anything inside. Putting cake batter into a cold oven affects rise and structure.
For gas ovens with only a few settings, pick the closest gas mark and compensate by adjusting shelf position — lower for more even cooking, higher for a browned top.
Fan oven timings can also be 10–15% shorter than conventional timings. Start checking baked goods a few minutes early.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature is 180°C in Fahrenheit and gas mark?
180°C equals 356°F (rounded to 350°F in most US recipes) and Gas Mark 4. This is the most common moderate baking temperature, used for Victoria sponge, most cakes, and cookies.
What temperature should I use for a fan oven?
Fan ovens circulate hot air and cook more efficiently than conventional ovens. The standard adjustment is to reduce the temperature by 20°C (35°F). If a recipe calls for 180°C conventional, set your fan oven to 160°C. Always check your oven's manual as some models vary.
What is gas mark 4 in Celsius?
Gas Mark 4 equals 180°C (356°F) — a moderate baking temperature. It is the most frequently called-for setting in British recipes, used for sponge cakes, biscuits, pastry, and most everyday baking.
What temperature do I bake bread at?
White bread and rolls are typically baked at 200–220°C (400–425°F, Gas Mark 6–7). The high initial heat creates a good crust. Enriched breads (brioche, milk bread) bake at a lower 180°C to prevent burning.
Why does my oven temperature not match the recipe?
Most home ovens run 10–25°C hotter or cooler than the dial setting. An inexpensive oven thermometer will tell you the actual temperature. Also check whether the recipe was written for a conventional or fan oven — fan oven temperatures are already 20°C lower.
Related Temperature Tools
Celsius to Fahrenheit Oven Converter
Interactive converter — enter °C and get °F, gas mark and fan setting instantly
Fahrenheit to Celsius Oven Converter
Convert US recipe temperatures to Celsius with gas mark equivalent
Gas Mark to Celsius
Convert gas mark settings to Celsius and Fahrenheit
Fan Oven Converter
Convert conventional oven temperatures to fan oven settings