Most Searched Conversion
The standard baking temperature
Also equals 350°F · Perfect for cakes, cookies & muffins
🇺🇸 For US Bakers: 350°F = 180°C = Gas Mark 4 (the most common temperature)
🌬️ Fan oven? Reduce by 20°C (e.g., 180°C becomes 160°C)
Complete Celsius to Gas Mark Conversion Chart
| Temperature | Gas Mark | °C | °C (Fan) | °F | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very Cool | ¼ | 110°C | 90°C | 225°F | Meringues, slow drying |
| Very Cool | ½ | 120°C | 100°C | 250°F | Pavlovas, slow cooking |
| Cool | 1 | 140°C | 120°C | 275°F | Rich fruit cakes |
| Cool | 2 | 150°C | 130°C | 300°F | Cheesecakes, custards |
| Moderate | 3 | 160°C | 140°C | 325°F | Madeira cake, shortbread |
| Moderate | 3-4 | 170°C | 150°C | 340°F | Cookies, brownies |
| Moderate | 4 | 180°C | 160°C | 350°F | ⭐ Most common: Cakes, muffins, cookies |
| Moderate Hot | 5 | 190°C | 170°C | 375°F | Scones, tray bakes |
| Hot | 6 | 200°C | 180°C | 400°F | Bread, roast chicken |
| Hot | 7 | 220°C | 200°C | 425°F | Focaccia, roast potatoes |
| Very Hot | 8 | 230°C | 210°C | 450°F | Pizza, naan bread |
| Very Hot | 9 | 240°C | 220°C | 475°F | Fast roasting, charring |
💡 Pro Tip
Gas Mark 4 (180°C/350°F) is the "Goldilocks" temperature—not too hot, not too cool. Perfect for most baking. Use the converter above for other temperatures.
🔥 Quick Math
Each Gas Mark equals about 14°C (25°F). Easy mental math: Gas Mark 5 is 190°C, Gas Mark 6 is 200°C.
🌬️ Fan Oven
Always reduce conventional temperature by 20°C for fan ovens. They circulate heat more efficiently, so food cooks faster.
⚠️ Critical: Fan Oven Adjustment
🔥 Conventional Oven (No Fan)
Traditional gas ovens and standard electric ovens.
- ✓ Use temperature as stated in recipe
- ✓ Heat comes from top/bottom elements
- ✓ Less even heat distribution
💨 Fan/Convection Oven
Modern ovens with fan circulation.
- ⚠️ Reduce by 20°C
- ⚠️ 180°C recipe = set to 160°C
- ⚠️ Cooks faster & more evenly
🎯 Quick Rule: Recipe says Gas Mark 4 (180°C)? Set fan oven to 160°C. Use our converter above for automatic calculations.
🌡️ How to Check If Your Oven Temperature Is Accurate
Even at the correct Gas Mark, your oven might run hot or cold. This is the #1 reason bakes fail. Here's how to test:
-
1
Get an oven thermometer (£5-10 / $7-12)
Available at any supermarket or online. This is essential baking equipment.
-
2
Preheat to Gas Mark 4 (180°C / 350°F)
Place thermometer in center of middle rack.
-
3
Wait 15 minutes after preheat light goes off
Ovens need time to stabilize. Don't check immediately.
-
4
Check the thermometer reading
Don't open the door—look through the window if possible.
Your oven runs cool. Increase by 1 Gas Mark (or 10-20°C).
Your oven runs hot. Decrease by 1 Gas Mark (or 10-20°C).
Perfect! Your oven is accurate. No adjustments needed.
💡 Pro Tip: Test at multiple temperatures (Gas Mark 3, 4, and 6). Some ovens are accurate at one temperature but not others. After testing, you can adjust all recipes accordingly using our converter above.
Why Do British Recipes Use Gas Marks?
🇬🇧 Historical Context
Gas ovens became popular in Britain in the early 1900s. The "Regulo" gas regulator marked settings 1-9, which became the standard "Gas Mark" system still used today.
Many British recipes, especially classics like Victoria sponge and scones, still reference Gas Marks because that's how generations of bakers learned.
🌡️ Modern Reality
Most UK homes now have electric ovens with Celsius displays, but cookbooks still include Gas Marks for tradition and for the many people with older gas ovens.
Fun fact: Gas Mark 4 (180°C / 350°F) is so common it's nicknamed "moderate"— the Goldilocks temperature for baking! That's why our converter defaults to this temperature.
What Happens at Each Temperature
Understanding the chemistry helps you troubleshoot problems and adapt recipes:
140-160°C (Gas 1-3): Gentle Baking
Proteins set slowly, perfect for custards and cheesecakes. At these temperatures, minimal browning occurs—your bakes stay pale.
Science: Water evaporates slowly, preventing cracks. Eggs coagulate gently around 70-85°C.
💡 Practical Application: If your cake is browning too fast but the center is raw, lower the temperature by 10-20°C (1 Gas Mark) and bake longer. Use our converter to find the right temperature quickly.
Oven Temperature Troubleshooting
These common problems are almost always temperature-related:
🌋 Cake Domed & Cracked
Problem: Oven too hot—outer edges set before center, forcing center to dome up and crack.
Fix: Reduce by 10-20°C (1 Gas Mark). If you have a fan oven, check you reduced by 20°C. Convert here.
🍪 Pale, Undercooked Center
Problem: Temperature too low—not enough heat for proper browning and cooking.
Fix: Increase by 10-20°C (1 Gas Mark) or bake 5-10 minutes longer. Test oven accuracy with thermometer (see above).
🔥 Burnt Bottom, Raw Top
Problem: Bottom element too strong, or rack position too low.
Fix: Move to higher shelf position. Place a baking sheet on rack below to shield. Consider using thicker pan.
⏱️ Everything Takes Forever
Problem: Oven runs 10-25°C cooler than dial shows—very common in older ovens.
Fix: Get oven thermometer (see testing guide above). Increase temperature by 10-20°C (1-2 Gas Marks) permanently.
Common Temperature Questions
What is 180°C in gas mark?
180°C = Gas Mark 4. This is the most common baking temperature, perfect for cakes, cookies, muffins, and general baking. It's also equivalent to 350°F.
For fan ovens, reduce to 160°C (fan ovens cook more efficiently). Use our converter above for instant calculations.
Do I need to adjust for fan ovens?
Yes! Fan ovens cook more efficiently. Reduce temperature by 20°C from the recipe.
Examples:
- • Recipe says 180°C (Gas 4) → Set fan oven to 160°C
- • Recipe says 200°C (Gas 6) → Set fan oven to 180°C
- • Recipe says 220°C (Gas 7) → Set fan oven to 200°C
Also check your bakes 5-10 minutes earlier than recipe states, as fan ovens cook faster.
What's 350°F in gas mark?
350°F = 180°C = Gas Mark 4. This is why so many American recipes use 350°F— it's the equivalent of the British standard baking temperature!
For other Fahrenheit conversions, use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter or the tool above.
What is 200°C in gas mark?
200°C = Gas Mark 6. This is a "hot" oven, commonly used for bread, roasting vegetables, and baking scones. It's equivalent to 400°F.
For fan ovens, reduce to 180°C. Perfect for crusty bread and flaky scones.
Why doesn't my oven match the dial?
Ovens can be off by 10-25°C (or more)! Common causes include:
- • Age and wear of heating elements
- • Poor factory calibration
- • Altitude (affects temperature accuracy)
- • Faulty thermostat
Solution: Get an oven thermometer (£5-10) to check actual temperature. See our testing guide above. For altitude adjustments, see our altitude converter.
What is 160°C in gas mark?
160°C = Gas Mark 3. This is a "moderate" temperature, ideal for dense cakes, shortbread, and slow baking. It's equivalent to 325°F.
Fan oven note: If your recipe says 180°C (Gas 4) for a conventional oven, you should use 160°C in a fan oven.
Related Temperature & Baking Tools:
🌡️ Master Every Recipe, Every Oven!
Now you know: 180°C = Gas Mark 4, and fan ovens need -20°C adjustment. Bookmark this page and never let temperature confusion ruin your bakes again!
Join 50,000+ bakers who trust BakingScale Pro for perfect conversions