Cooking Temperatures: Oven Settings Worldwide
Your Complete Guide to Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Gas Marks
View Conversion TableYou've found the perfect recipe online, but there's a problem: it calls for 180°C, and your oven only shows Fahrenheit. Or maybe you're following a British recipe with mysterious "Gas Mark" settings. Don't let temperature confusion ruin your dish—this guide covers everything you need to know about cooking temperatures around the world.
Complete Oven Temperature Conversion Table
| Description | Celsius | Fahrenheit | Gas Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Cool | 110°C | 225°F | ¼ |
| Cool | 120°C | 250°F | ½ |
| Slow/Low | 150°C | 300°F | 2 |
| Moderately Slow | 160°C | 325°F | 3 |
| Moderate | 180°C | 350°F | 4 |
| Moderately Hot | 190°C | 375°F | 5 |
| Hot | 200°C | 400°F | 6 |
| Very Hot | 220°C | 425°F | 7 |
| Very Hot | 230°C | 450°F | 8 |
| Extremely Hot | 240°C | 475°F | 9 |
Understanding the Three Systems
Fahrenheit (°F) - United States
American recipes use Fahrenheit, which was the standard in the English-speaking world until the mid-20th century. Most US ovens are calibrated in 25°F increments (325°F, 350°F, 375°F, etc.).
Celsius (°C) - Most of the World
The metric temperature scale is used in Europe, Australia, Asia, and most other regions. Ovens typically use 10°C or 20°C increments (160°C, 180°C, 200°C, etc.).
Gas Marks - United Kingdom & Ireland
Gas Mark is a temperature scale found on gas ovens in the UK, Ireland, and some Commonwealth countries. Introduced in 1930s Britain, it ranges from ¼ (very low) to 10 (extremely hot). Each Gas Mark increment represents approximately 14°C or 25°F.
Common Cooking Temperatures by Food Type
Baking
| Food | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|---|---|
| Meringues | 100-120°C | 200-250°F |
| Cheesecake | 150°C | 300°F |
| Cookies | 160-180°C | 325-350°F |
| Cakes | 170-180°C | 340-350°F |
| Bread | 200-230°C | 400-450°F |
| Pizza | 230-260°C | 450-500°F |
Roasting Meat
| Meat | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken (whole) | 180-200°C | 350-400°F |
| Beef (roast) | 180-230°C | 350-450°F |
| Pork (roast) | 180-190°C | 350-375°F |
| Lamb | 180-200°C | 350-400°F |
| Turkey | 160-180°C | 325-350°F |
Fan Oven vs Conventional Oven
If you're using a fan-assisted (convection) oven, you'll need to adjust temperatures. Fan ovens circulate hot air, cooking food more evenly and efficiently.
General Rule: Reduce the temperature by 20°C (35°F) when using a fan oven compared to a conventional oven recipe.
| Conventional Oven | Fan Oven |
|---|---|
| 160°C / 325°F | 140°C / 285°F |
| 180°C / 350°F | 160°C / 325°F |
| 200°C / 400°F | 180°C / 350°F |
| 220°C / 425°F | 200°C / 400°F |
Internal Meat Temperatures
Oven temperature is just part of the equation—internal meat temperature determines doneness and food safety.
| Meat | Doneness | Internal Temp (°C) | Internal Temp (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef/Lamb | Rare | 52°C | 125°F |
| Beef/Lamb | Medium-Rare | 57°C | 135°F |
| Beef/Lamb | Medium | 63°C | 145°F |
| Beef/Lamb | Well Done | 71°C | 160°F |
| Pork | Safe Minimum | 63°C | 145°F |
| Chicken/Turkey | Safe Minimum | 74°C | 165°F |
| Ground Meat | Safe Minimum | 71°C | 160°F |
Conclusion
Don't let temperature differences between recipes derail your cooking. Bookmark this page for quick reference, or better yet, use our temperature converter for instant, accurate results. Whether you're baking a cake at 180°C, roasting chicken at 375°F, or following a British recipe calling for Gas Mark 6, you now have all the information you need.