By CalcMesh Editorial · Reviewed against primary-source formulas

Baking Temperature Converter

Convert oven temperatures between Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Gas Mark instantly.

Temperature

Input Unit

Fahrenheit

—

°F

Celsius

—

°C

Gas Mark

—

Gas oven setting

Common Baking Temperatures

Description	°F	°C	Gas Mark
Very Low / Warming	250	120	1/2
Low	275	135	1
Slow / Low	300	150	2
Moderately Slow	325	163	3
Moderate (Most Baking)	350	177	4
Moderately Hot	375	190	5
Hot	400	204	6
Very Hot	425	218	7
Very Hot / Pizza	450	232	8
Extremely Hot / Broil	475	246	9

Oven Temperature Guide

Temperature 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

Typical Baking Temperatures

Cookies: 325-375°F (163-190°C)
Cakes: 325-350°F (163-177°C)
Bread: 350-425°F (177-218°C)
Pizza: 450-500°F (232-260°C)
Pastry: 375-425°F (190-218°C)
Roasting meat: 325-450°F (163-232°C)

Convection Oven Adjustment

If your recipe is for a conventional oven but you are using convection (fan-assisted), reduce temperature by 25°F (~15°C) or reduce cooking time by about 25%. The circulating air cooks food more efficiently.

Altitude Adjustments

At elevations above 3,000 feet, increase oven temperature by 15-25°F to help set the structure of baked goods before they over-rise. You may also need to:

Increase liquid by 2-4 tbsp per cup
Reduce sugar by 1-2 tbsp per cup
Reduce leavening by 25%

Oven Temperature, Precisely

Home ovens are less accurate than most cooks assume. A 2012 Cook's Illustrated survey tested 28 home ovens with calibrated thermometers: average deviation from set point was 18°F, and 20% of ovens ran 50°F+ off. Convection settings, door opening, and oven position can add another 25°F variation. This is why professional recipes increasingly specify temperature ranges (e.g., 350-375°F) and internal-probe doneness rather than pure time/temp.

The Fahrenheit-Celsius-Gas Mark triad has specific conventions. 350°F = 177°C ≈ Gas Mark 4, 375°F = 190°C ≈ Gas Mark 5, 400°F = 204°C ≈ Gas Mark 6. Gas Mark numbering dates to 1940s UK appliances where each step represented ≈ 25°F / 14°C. Adopting a recipe from a British cookbook requires translating Gas Mark 7 to 425°F / 218°C — missing this conversion is a frequent source of 'why didn't my cake rise?' complaints.

Convection (fan-forced) ovens behave 25°F hotter than conventional for the same setting because moving air transfers heat faster. The commonly cited 'convection rule' is reduce time by 25% or temperature by 25°F, but not both. GE Appliances' 2021 baking-mode analysis found this rule underestimates for dense baked goods (pound cake, quick bread) and overestimates for laminated doughs (croissant, puff pastry), where direct conversion often produces excessive surface browning before interior doneness.

Sources: Cook's Illustrated oven-accuracy survey, GE Appliances baking modes, Modernist Bread volume 1

Methodology & Assumptions

This calculator implements standard formulas drawn from primary-source authorities. Values are point-in-time estimates; consult a licensed professional for high-stakes decisions. See the per-input definitions and source citations below.

How this works

Computations are deterministic and run client-side — no inputs leave your browser. Formulas are derived from standard published formulas for the calculator's domain (mortgage, taxes, energy, conversions, etc.). When the underlying agency publishes updated rates or thresholds we refresh defaults and update the page's lastmod timestamp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gas Mark and where is it used?

Gas Mark is a temperature scale used on gas ovens, primarily in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries. Gas Mark 1 corresponds to 275°F (135°C) and each increment of 1 adds approximately 25°F (14°C). If your oven uses Gas Mark settings, this converter helps you follow recipes written in Fahrenheit or Celsius.

Why do some recipes call for preheating the oven?

Preheating ensures the oven reaches the target temperature before food goes in, which is critical for consistent results. Baked goods like cakes, cookies, and bread depend on immediate exposure to the correct temperature for proper rising, structure, and browning. Most ovens take 10-15 minutes to fully preheat.

Should I adjust oven temperature for convection/fan ovens?

Yes. Convection (fan-assisted) ovens circulate hot air, cooking food faster and more evenly. The general rule is to reduce the temperature by 25°F (about 15°C) compared to a conventional recipe, or reduce cooking time by about 25%. Check your oven manual for specific recommendations.

How does altitude affect baking temperature?

At high altitudes (above 3,000 feet / 914 meters), air pressure is lower, which causes baked goods to rise faster and lose moisture more quickly. Common adjustments include increasing temperature by 15-25°F, reducing sugar by 1-2 tablespoons per cup, increasing liquid by 2-4 tablespoons, and reducing leavening by 25%.