Oven Temperature Conversion Guide
Why oven temperature units differ
Recipes from the United States give oven heat in Fahrenheit (°F), most of the rest of the world in Celsius (°C), and British cookbooks often use gas marks (1/4 to 10). The same bake needs the same actual heat, so moving between systems is a daily task for anyone following international recipes. This converter links the three instantly.
What is a gas mark?
Gas marks are used by gas ovens in the UK and Commonwealth countries. Each mark is a narrow temperature band; for example gas mark 4 is about 350 °F (177 °C). The table below lists the common marks from very low (1/4) to very hot (9). Click any row to fill the converter.
Fahrenheit, Celsius and gas mark reference
Common baking temperatures rounded to the nearest whole degree.
| Fahrenheit (°F) | Celsius (°C) | Gas mark |
|---|---|---|
| 225 °F | 110 °C | 1/4 |
| 250 °F | 130 °C | 1/2 |
| 275 °F | 140 °C | 1 |
| 300 °F | 150 °C | 2 |
| 325 °F | 170 °C | 3 |
| 350 °F | 180 °C | 4 |
| 375 °F | 190 °C | 5 |
| 400 °F | 200 °C | 6 |
| 425 °F | 220 °C | 7 |
| 450 °F | 230 °C | 8 |
| 475 °F | 240 °C | 9 |
Why exact oven temperature matters
Baking is a chemical process driven by heat. A cake baked too cool spreads and sinks; too hot it browns before the center cooks. When a recipe specifies a temperature, matching it in your own oven — and knowing the difference between fan and still ovens — gives predictable results.
Tips for accurate oven temperature
Buy an oven thermometer: dials are often inaccurate. If your oven runs hot or cool, adjust the setting by the measured offset. Reduce fan ovens by about 25 °F (15 °C) and check baked goods a few minutes early.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?
Subtract 32, multiply by 5 and divide by 9. For example: (350 − 32) × 5 ÷ 9 = 176.7 °C, usually rounded to 177 °C. The tool above does this instantly in both directions.
What temperature is gas mark 4?
Gas mark 4 equals about 350 °F / 177 °C, the classic temperature for cakes and many baked dishes. Gas mark 6 is 400 °F / 204 °C and gas mark 7 is 425 °F / 218 °C.
Should I adjust the temperature for a fan oven?
Yes. Fan (convection) ovens circulate hot air and cook faster, so most cooks reduce the temperature by about 25 °F (15 °C) compared with a still oven, and check the food earlier.
What do terms like slow, moderate or hot oven mean in degrees?
As a general guide, a slow oven is about 150–165 °C (300–325 °F), a moderate oven is 177 °C (350 °F), a hot oven is 204 °C (400 °F) and a very hot oven is 230 °C (450 °F) or above. The table below lists the common presets with their gas marks.
Why do recipes round to 180 °C or 350 °F when they are not exactly equal?
Because each tradition rounds to a familiar number: 350 °F is about 177 °C, while many metric recipes write 180 °C (about 356 °F) for the same moderate setting. Both work the same in practice, and the converter handles either direction precisely.