Convert between Celsius, Fahrenheit, Gas Mark and AGA settings instantly. Includes fan oven adjustment and full baking temperature guide.
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| Gas Mark | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) | Fan Oven (°C) | Description |
|---|
| Food | Conventional (°C) | Fan Oven (°C) | Gas Mark | °F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White bread loaf | 220°C | 200°C | 7 | 425°F |
| Wholemeal bread | 200°C | 180°C | 6 | 400°F |
| Victoria sponge | 180°C | 160°C | 4 | 356°F |
| Shortbread / biscuits | 170°C | 150°C | 3-4 | 338°F |
| Fruit cake (rich) | 150°C | 130°C | 2 | 300°F |
| Choux pastry | 200°C | 180°C | 6 | 400°F |
| Shortcrust pastry | 200°C | 180°C | 6 | 400°F |
| Roast chicken | 190°C | 170°C | 5 | 375°F |
| Roast beef (medium) | 200°C | 180°C | 6 | 400°F |
| Roast lamb | 190°C | 170°C | 5 | 375°F |
| Roast pork | 220°C | 200°C | 7 | 425°F |
| Meringues | 110°C | 90°C | ¼ | 230°F |
| Yorkshire pudding | 220°C | 200°C | 7 | 425°F |
| Cheesecake (baked) | 160°C | 140°C | 3 | 320°F |
| Pizza | 240°C | 220°C | 9 | 464°F |
| Croissants | 200°C | 180°C | 6 | 400°F |
The most important temperature concept for UK home cooks is understanding the difference between fan (convection) ovens and conventional (static) ovens. A fan oven circulates hot air continuously, cooking food more evenly and efficiently. This means it operates approximately 20°C (or Gas Mark ½ to 1) hotter than a conventional oven at the same setting.
The rule is simple: subtract 20°C from the recipe temperature if you have a fan oven. If a recipe calls for 200°C conventional, set your fan oven to 180°C. If it says Gas Mark 6 (200°C), set your fan oven to 180°C (roughly Gas Mark 5).
AGA cookers work differently from conventional ovens. They store heat rather than generating it on demand. A traditional 2-oven AGA has a Roasting Oven (approximately 230-240°C / Gas Mark 8-9) and a Simmering Oven (approximately 110-130°C / Gas Mark ½-1). A 4-oven AGA adds a Baking Oven (approximately 160-180°C / Gas Mark 3-4) and Warming Oven. Most AGA recipes specify the oven position (top shelf/bottom shelf of roasting oven) rather than a specific temperature.
UK recipes often describe ovens qualitatively: "cool", "warm", "moderate", "fairly hot", "hot", "very hot". American recipes typically give only Fahrenheit temperatures. Here's how they map:
Most domestic ovens are inaccurate by 10-25°C. An oven set to 180°C might actually be 165°C or 200°C. For baking in particular, this can ruin results. An oven thermometer costs as little as £5-10 and takes the guesswork out of temperature accuracy. Always preheat your oven for at least 15-20 minutes, and consider the thermometer a basic baking essential.
At altitudes above 1,000m (3,300ft), the lower atmospheric pressure causes baked goods to rise faster. Most of the UK is at low altitude and this rarely applies, but if cooking in high-altitude locations: increase oven temperature by 15°C, reduce baking powder by ¼ teaspoon per teaspoon called for, increase liquid by 2-4 tablespoons per cup, and increase flour by 2-3 tablespoons per cup.
The formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit is: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9. Our converter above handles all of this automatically, but knowing the formula helps if you're working without a calculator.