Oven temperature conversion
US recipes give oven temperatures in Fahrenheit. Here is every common setting in Celsius, for fan ovens and as a UK gas mark, plus sugar, frying and meat temperatures.
350°F = 180°C (160°C fan, gas 4)
The most common US baking temperature. 375°F = 190°C and 400°F = 200°C.
Open the calculatorOven temperature chart
These are the rounded values used in metric recipes and on oven dials. Exact maths gives 350°F = 177°C, but every metric cookbook says 180°C.
| Fahrenheit | Celsius | Fan oven | Gas mark | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225°F | 105°C | 85°C | ¼ | Very cool |
| 250°F | 120°C | 100°C | ½ | Very cool |
| 275°F | 135°C | 115°C | 1 | Cool |
| 300°F | 150°C | 130°C | 2 | Cool |
| 325°F | 160°C | 140°C | 3 | Warm |
| 350°F | 180°C | 160°C | 4 | Moderate |
| 375°F | 190°C | 170°C | 5 | Moderately hot |
| 400°F | 200°C | 180°C | 6 | Moderately hot |
| 425°F | 220°C | 200°C | 7 | Hot |
| 450°F | 230°C | 210°C | 8 | Very hot |
| 475°F | 240°C | 220°C | 9 | Very hot |
| 500°F | 260°C | 240°C | – | Very hot |
Fan (convection) ovens
A fan oven circulates hot air, so it cooks as if it were about 20°C hotter. Set it about 20°C lower than a recipe written for a conventional oven. US recipes almost always assume a conventional oven unless they say "convection".
Sugar and candy temperatures
Sugar work needs exact temperatures, so these are converted precisely rather than rounded. A clip-on thermometer that reads both scales is the easiest way to get them right.
| Stage | Fahrenheit | Celsius |
|---|---|---|
| Thread | 223–235°F | 106–113°C |
| Soft ball (fudge, fondant) | 235–245°F | 113–118°C |
| Firm ball (caramels) | 245–250°F | 118–121°C |
| Hard ball (nougat, marshmallow) | 250–265°F | 121–129°C |
| Soft crack (toffee) | 270–290°F | 132–143°C |
| Hard crack (brittle, lollipops) | 300–310°F | 149–154°C |
| Caramel | 320–350°F | 160–177°C |
Safe cooking temperatures for meat
Minimum internal temperatures recommended by the USDA, measured with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part.
| Food | Fahrenheit | Celsius |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken, turkey and other poultry | 165°F | 74°C |
| Ground beef, pork and lamb | 160°F | 71°C |
| Beef, pork, veal and lamb (steaks, chops, roasts), then rest 3 minutes | 145°F | 63°C |
| Fish and shellfish | 145°F | 63°C |
| Egg dishes | 160°F | 71°C |
| Leftovers and casseroles | 165°F | 74°C |
Deep-frying
Most US recipes fry at 350–375°F, which is 177–191°C. Use a thermometer and fry in small batches so the oil temperature doesn't drop.