Oven Temperature Converter

What Does This Oven Temperature Converter Do?

Recipes from different countries specify oven temperature in different systems - Fahrenheit is standard in the US, Celsius is standard in most of the rest of the world, and older British, Irish, and Australian recipes often use gas mark instead of a specific degree value. This oven temperature converter takes a value in any one of these three systems and instantly shows the equivalent in the other two, so you never have to guess what "Gas Mark 6" means in your electric oven.

The Conversion Method

Fahrenheit and Celsius convert using exact linear formulas:

• Celsius = (Fahrenheit - 32) x 5/9
• Fahrenheit = Celsius x 9/5 + 32

Gas mark, however, isn't a linear temperature scale - it's a fixed set of oven dial settings, so it can't be calculated with a formula. Instead, this calculator uses the standard UK gas mark reference table:

When you enter a Fahrenheit or Celsius value, the calculator finds the nearest gas mark from this table, since your exact temperature may fall between two standard gas marks. When you enter a gas mark directly, it looks up the exact standard Fahrenheit and Celsius values for that mark.

Worked Example

Say your recipe calls for 200°C and you want to know both the Fahrenheit value and the closest gas mark:

• Fahrenheit = 200 x 9/5 + 32 = 392°F
• Closest standard gas mark to 392°F is Gas Mark 6 (400°F / 200°C)

Since 200°C matches Gas Mark 6's standard Celsius value exactly, this conversion lines up neatly - but for an in-between value like 210°C, the calculator would still show the nearest gas mark along with the exact Fahrenheit conversion.

Practical Baking Tips

• Gas mark is approximate: Because it's a discrete scale, converting to or from gas mark always involves some rounding - use the exact Fahrenheit/Celsius value when precision matters.
• Fan ovens run hotter: If your oven has a fan (convection) setting, many manufacturers recommend reducing the converted temperature by about 20°C (25°F) compared to a conventional oven.
• Preheat fully: Oven thermostats can be inaccurate by 10-25°F even when the display looks correct - preheating for the full recommended time helps ensure the oven has actually reached temperature.
• Use an oven thermometer: A cheap oven thermometer is the most reliable way to confirm your oven is actually hitting the temperature you've converted to.
• Common baking temperatures: 350°F/180°C/Gas Mark 4 is the most frequently used baking temperature for cakes and cookies; 425°F/220°C/Gas Mark 7 is common for roasting and pizza.