Oven Temperatures: Converting °C and °F for Baking
A European cake recipe that says “bake at 180 °C” will not match a US oven dial labeled only in Fahrenheit unless you convert correctly. Temperature conversion is not a simple multiply-by-constant problem because the scales start at different zeros.
The exact oven formulas
Celsius to Fahrenheit: multiply by 9/5, then add 32. For 180 °C: 180 × 1.8 = 324; 324 + 32 = 356 °F. Many home bakers round to 350 °F; that is about 177 °C—close for forgiving recipes, less ideal for sugar work.
Fahrenheit to Celsius: subtract 32, then multiply by 5/9. For 350 °F: (350 − 32) × 5/9 = 318 × 5/9 = 176.67 °C.
Common baking setpoints
160 °C ≈ 320 °F (gentle bakes), 180 °C ≈ 356 °F (many cakes), 200 °C ≈ 392 °F (roast vegetables), 220 °C ≈ 428 °F (pizza-style heat). Fan (convection) ovens often need a lower setpoint than conventional ovens; follow the recipe’s fan note separately from unit conversion.
Oven thermostats drift. An inexpensive oven thermometer in the cavity is more important than a one-degree conversion debate.
Gas marks and other scales
UK gas marks are another labeling system. Converting gas mark to Celsius is approximate and brand-dependent. Prefer a numeric °C/°F target when possible.
Do not confuse a temperature difference with a point reading: raising the oven by 10 °C is an 18 °F rise, but 10 °C on the dial is not 18 °F.
Key takeaways
- • Use °F = °C × 9/5 + 32 for oven conversions.
- • Rounding 180 °C to 350 °F is common but not exact.
- • Verify real oven temperature with a thermometer.
Run the numbers with our Temperature converter, or browse more guides.