Oven Temperatures for Baking
Written by Mustapha B. · Updated August 13, 2026
Not sure how hot to set your oven? Use the converter, then check the common baking-temperature guide below for cookies, bread, cakes and more.
375 °F =
191 °C
Most baking happens within a fairly narrow band of oven temperatures, and knowing the common ones helps you read any recipe with confidence. A moderate oven of 180°C (350°F, Gas Mark 4) suits cakes, cupcakes, and many cookies. Bread and pastry usually want a hotter 200–220°C (400–425°F) for a good rise and crust, while slow-baked items like meringues and rich fruit cakes prefer a low 120–150°C (250–300°F). Cookies often bake well slightly hotter, around 190°C, for crisp edges.
This chart and converter let you match a baking temperature across Fahrenheit, Celsius, and gas mark so nothing gets lost in translation. A genuinely useful tip: oven thermostats are often inaccurate by 10 to 20 degrees, so an inexpensive standalone oven thermometer is the single best upgrade for reliable baking. Also remember that fan (convection) ovens run hotter, so drop the stated temperature by about 20°C, and always preheat fully before the tin goes in.
Fahrenheit, Celsius and gas mark, how they relate
US recipes use Fahrenheit, most of the world uses Celsius, and UK gas ovens use Gas Mark. The conversions are simple: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9 and °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. Gas Mark is a stepped scale, so we snap to the nearest mark when you convert to it.
Gas mark conversion chart
| Gas Mark | °C | °F | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 140°C | 275°F | Cool |
| 2 | 150°C | 300°F | Cool |
| 3 | 170°C | 325°F | Warm |
| 4 | 180°C | 350°F | Moderate |
| 5 | 190°C | 375°F | Moderately hot |
| 6 | 200°C | 400°F | Fairly hot |
| 7 | 220°C | 425°F | Hot |
| 8 | 230°C | 450°F | Very hot |
| 9 | 240°C | 475°F | Very hot |
Common baking temperatures
| What you’re baking | °F | °C | Gas Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow roasting / low & slow | 250°F | 120°C | ½ |
| Meringues, dehydrating | 275°F | 140°C | 1 |
| Custards, slow bakes | 325°F | 170°C | 3 |
| Cookies, cakes, brownies | 350°F | 180°C | 4 |
| Muffins, quick breads | 375°F | 190°C | 5 |
| Yeast bread, roasting veg | 400°F | 200°C | 6 |
| Pastry, scones | 425°F | 220°C | 7 |
| Artisan bread, hot roast | 450°F | 230°C | 8 |
| Pizza, very hot | 500°F | 260°C | 10 |
Fan (convection) ovens run hotter, reduce the temperature by about 20°C (25°F), or one gas mark, and check a little early.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best oven temperature for baking cakes?
Most cakes bake well at 180°C (350°F, Gas Mark 4), a moderate oven. Lower it by about 20°C if you're using a fan or convection setting.
Why do my bakes brown too fast or too slow?
Usually because the oven's actual temperature differs from the dial. Use a separate oven thermometer to check, and reduce the temperature for fan ovens, which run hotter than conventional ones.