Gas Mark to Celsius Converter — Oven Temperature Chart (°C, °F & Fan)
Every oven temperature system traces back to the same heat — just measured differently. UK and Commonwealth recipes use gas marks (1–9), American recipes use Fahrenheit, and most of Europe uses Celsius. Fan-assisted (convection) ovens add another wrinkle: they run 20°C hotter than the setting suggests, so recipes must be adjusted. Enter your temperature and source unit below to see the precise equivalent in every system.
Gas mark 4 = 180°C = 356°F (moderate oven — most cakes and biscuits). Gas mark 6 = 200°C = 392°F (hot). Gas mark 7 = 220°C = 428°F (very hot). For fan/convection ovens, subtract 20°C from any conventional setting. Full table: ¼=110°C, ½=130°C, 1=140°C, 2=150°C, 3=165°C, 4=180°C, 5=190°C, 6=200°C, 7=220°C, 8=230°C, 9=240°C.
When to use this calculator
- Following a British recipe that lists temperatures in gas marks on a US Fahrenheit oven
- Adapting a European baking recipe (Celsius) for an American kitchen (Fahrenheit)
- Checking whether your fan oven needs a temperature reduction versus the recipe's conventional setting
- Quickly verifying that 220°C in a continental recipe means gas mark 7 — not 8
Example: British cake recipe at gas mark 4
- A Victoria sponge recipe specifies gas mark 4. Enter 4 in the temperature field and select 'Gas Mark' as the source unit.
- The calculator returns: 180°C = 356°F = Gas Mark 4 — a moderate oven.
- If you have a fan/convection oven, reduce to 160°C (320°F) — 20°C less than the conventional setting.
How it works
2 min readGas Mark to Celsius & Fahrenheit — Complete Conversion Table
The gas mark scale runs from ¼ (very cool) to 9 (maximum heat). Each mark maps to a fixed Celsius value from the standardised UK table (BBC Good Food / Good Housekeeping UK):
| Gas Mark | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) | Fan Oven (°C) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¼ | 110 | 230 | 90 | Very cool — meringues, drying |
| ½ | 130 | 265 | 110 | Cool slow |
| 1 | 140 | 275 | 120 | Cool |
| 2 | 150 | 300 | 130 | Cool–moderate |
| 3 | 165 | 325 | 145 | Warm — puddings, cheesecakes |
| 4 | 180 | 356 | 160 | Moderate — cakes, biscuits, sponge |
| 5 | 190 | 375 | 170 | Moderate hot — pies, tarts |
| 6 | 200 | 392 | 180 | Hot — bread, pizza |
| 7 | 220 | 428 | 200 | Very hot — roasting |
| 8 | 230 | 446 | 210 | Very hot — pastry, gratin |
| 9 | 240 | 464 | 220 | Maximum — stone-baked pizza |
How to Convert Oven Temperatures
Celsius → Fahrenheit: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
Fahrenheit → Celsius: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9
Celsius → Gas Mark: Use the table above. The UK gas mark scale was standardised so that gas mark 1 = 275°F (140°C), with each additional mark adding roughly 25°F (13–14°C).
Fan/convection oven adjustment: Subtract 20°C (35°F) from any conventional oven setting. If a recipe says 200°C conventional, set your fan oven to 180°C.
Common Conversions at a Glance
| Common temp | Gas Mark | Fahrenheit | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160°C | 3 | 320°F | Cheesecake, slow-roast |
| 180°C | 4 | 356°F | Most cakes, Victoria sponge |
| 190°C | 5 | 374°F | Quiche, shortcrust pastry |
| 200°C | 6 | 392°F | Bread loaf, roast chicken |
| 220°C | 7 | 428°F | Yorkshire pudding, pizza |
| 230°C | 8 | 446°F | Puff pastry, gratin |
| 240°C | 9 | 464°F | Max heat, artisan bread |
Why Gas Marks Exist
Gas mark 1 was originally calibrated to 275°F in the UK. Unlike electric ovens, early gas ovens lacked precise thermostats, so the 1–9 scale gave cooks a reproducible reference across different appliances. Today the system survives mainly in British and Commonwealth recipe books.
Practical Tips
Frequently asked questions
What is gas mark 4 in Celsius and Fahrenheit?
Gas mark 4 = 180°C = 356°F. It is described as a 'moderate' oven and is the most common baking temperature for cakes, biscuits, and moderate roasting. On a fan/convection oven, reduce to 160°C (320°F).
What is 180°C in gas mark?
180°C is gas mark 4 — a moderate oven. In Fahrenheit, 180°C equals 356°F. This is the temperature used for most standard cakes, Victoria sponge, and many cookie recipes.
How do I convert Celsius to Fahrenheit for ovens?
Use the formula: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. For common baking temperatures: 160°C = 320°F, 180°C = 356°F, 200°C = 392°F, 220°C = 428°F. This formula works for any temperature.
What temperature is a fan oven compared to a conventional oven?
A fan-assisted (convection) oven runs about 20°C (35°F) hotter than the dial suggests because the fan circulates hot air more efficiently. When a recipe lists a conventional oven temperature, reduce by 20°C for a fan oven. So 200°C conventional = 180°C fan.
What is gas mark 6 in Celsius?
Gas mark 6 = 200°C = 392°F. It is a 'hot' oven setting, used for roasting vegetables, baking bread, and cooking pastry quickly. On a fan oven, reduce to 180°C.
What is gas mark 7 in Celsius?
Gas mark 7 = 220°C = 428°F. This is a 'hot' oven, used for high-heat roasting, Yorkshire pudding, and oven chips. On a fan oven, set to 200°C.
Why does 350°F not exactly equal 180°C?
350°F converts to exactly 176.7°C — usually rounded to 177°C. The '180°C = 350°F' shorthand appearing in many recipe books is a convenient approximation, not a precise conversion. For precision, use the formula: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9.
What countries use gas marks?
Gas marks are used primarily in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and some other Commonwealth countries such as Australia and New Zealand — mostly in older recipe books. Modern UK recipes increasingly use Celsius alongside or instead of gas marks.
What does a 'moderate' oven mean in temperature?
A 'moderate' or 'medium' oven is typically 170–190°C (338–374°F), corresponding to gas marks 3–5. It is the sweet spot for most baking — hot enough to set batters and cook through, cool enough to avoid scorching the outside.
How accurate is oven temperature conversion?
The Celsius↔Fahrenheit formula is exact. The gas mark table is based on the standardised UK scale, accurate to within 5°C for each mark. However, actual oven temperatures often differ from the dial by 10–25°C depending on calibration — an oven thermometer is the most reliable check.