Oven Temperature Conversion: Celsius to Fahrenheit
Multiply Celsius by 9/5 and add 32. 180C = 356F (use 350F). 200C = 392F (use 400F).
Conversion Table
| To | From |
|---|---|
| Very low / warming | 100C (212F) |
| Very low / dehydrating | 120C (250F) |
| Low / slow roasting | 140C (275F) |
| Low | 150C (300F) |
| Moderate low | 160C (325F) |
| Moderate (most baking) | 180C (350F) |
| Moderate high | 190C (375F) |
| Hot | 200C (400F) |
| Hot (pizza, bread) | 220C (425F) |
| Very hot | 230C (450F) |
| Very hot (searing) | 240C (475F) |
| Extreme (broiling) | 260C (500F) |
The formula is simple: multiply Celsius by 1.8 (or 9/5) and add 32. But ovens don't work in exact numbers. A 180C recipe needs 350F, not 356F, because home ovens only have settings every 25 degrees.
Most ovens run 10-25 degrees hotter or cooler than the dial says anyway. That 350F setting might actually be 335F or 365F. Professional bakers use oven thermometers to check. A $10 thermometer shows you the real temperature.
European recipes use Celsius. American recipes use Fahrenheit. The conversion math is precise, but the cooking isn't. Round to the nearest 25F increment your oven actually has.
How to Convert
Take the Celsius temperature, multiply by 1.8, add 32, then round to the nearest 25F.
180C x 1.8 = 324. Add 32 = 356F. Round down to 350F.
200C x 1.8 = 360. Add 32 = 392F. Round up to 400F.
160C x 1.8 = 288. Add 32 = 320F. Round up to 325F.
For quick mental math, double the Celsius and add 30. It's not exact but gets you close. 180C doubled is 360, plus 30 = 390F. The real answer is 356F, but both round to 350F on your oven dial.
Going backwards from Fahrenheit to Celsius: subtract 32, then divide by 1.8. Or subtract 30 and halve it for a rough estimate.
Common Mistakes
Using the exact conversion instead of rounding to an oven setting. Your oven doesn't have a 356F button. Use 350F.
Ignoring fan ovens (convection). European recipes often assume fan ovens, which run 20C cooler than conventional ovens. If a UK recipe says 180C fan, use 375F in a regular American oven, not 350F.
Trusting the oven dial. Most home ovens are off by 15-25 degrees. That chocolate chip cookie recipe that always burns at 375F? Your oven probably runs hot. Get a thermometer.
Not adjusting for altitude. Water boils at 202F at 5,000 feet instead of 212F at sea level. Cakes need 15-25F higher temperatures above 3,000 feet to set properly.
Pro Tips
Buy an oven thermometer for $8-12. Hang it from the center rack and check after 20 minutes of preheating. If it reads 340F when set to 350F, you know to set it 10 degrees higher for recipes.
Learn the key temperatures. 350F (180C) is the default baking temperature. 375F (190C) for crispier results. 425F (220C) for roasting vegetables. 325F (160C) for delicate cakes.
Fan ovens cook faster and more evenly. Reduce temperature by 25F or cooking time by 5-10 minutes when using convection. A 350F conventional recipe becomes 325F fan.
Dark metal pans absorb more heat than glass or light aluminum. Drop temperature 25F for dark pans to prevent burnt bottoms. Glass takes longer to heat but holds temperature steady.
Ingredient-Specific Notes
Bread
Bakes at 375-450F (190-230C). Lean breads like baguettes need 450F for a crispy crust. Enriched breads with butter and eggs bake at 350-375F. Internal temperature should reach 190F for sandwich loaves, 205F for crusty breads.
Cookies
Most bake at 350-375F (180-190C). Higher temperatures (375F) make crispier edges. Lower temperatures (325F) keep centers chewier. Baking time changes more than you'd expect: 325F needs 2-3 extra minutes compared to 375F.
Cakes
Layer cakes bake at 350F (180C). Pound cakes and fruitcakes use 325F (160C) for even cooking without dry edges. Sponge cakes often need 375F (190C) to rise properly. A toothpick should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Roasted vegetables
425F (220C) is the sweet spot. Hot enough to caramelize edges in 20-30 minutes without burning. Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and carrots all work at this temperature. Cut pieces the same size for even cooking.
Pizza
Home ovens max out at 500-550F (260-290C), but pizza ovens reach 700-900F (370-480C). Use your highest setting and a pizza stone preheated for 45 minutes. The stone holds heat better than the oven air.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's 180 Celsius in Fahrenheit?
180C equals 356F, but round to 350F on your oven. This is the most common baking temperature worldwide. European recipes default to 180C like American recipes default to 350F. It's hot enough to set batters and brown crusts but gentle enough not to burn edges before centers cook. Most cakes, cookies, and casseroles work at this temperature.
How do I convert Celsius to Fahrenheit quickly?
Double the Celsius and add 30 for a close estimate. 200C doubled is 400, plus 30 = 430F. The exact conversion is 392F, but both round to 400F on your oven dial. For more precision, multiply by 1.8 and add 32. Most ovens only have settings every 25 degrees anyway, so extreme precision doesn't matter. Keep a conversion chart on your fridge for the 6-8 temperatures you use most.
What's the difference between fan and conventional ovens?
Fan ovens (convection) circulate hot air, cooking food 25F hotter and 25% faster than conventional ovens. A 350F conventional recipe needs only 325F in a fan oven. The moving air transfers heat more efficiently. European recipes often assume fan ovens. American recipes usually assume conventional. If your cookies burn at the recipe temperature, you might have a convection oven. Check your manual or look for a fan symbol on the control panel.
Why do oven temperatures end in 25, 50, 75, or 00?
Oven manufacturers standardized on 25-degree increments decades ago. Your oven has settings for 325F, 350F, 375F, 400F, but not 360F or 385F. The thermostat isn't precise enough for 5-degree differences anyway. Most ovens fluctuate by 25 degrees during cooking as the heating element cycles on and off. That's why recipes work despite these limitations. The 25-degree increments are close enough for the imprecise environment of home ovens.
Do I need different temperatures for different materials?
Yes. Dark metal pans absorb more heat than shiny aluminum, requiring 25F lower temperatures. Glass takes longer to heat up but holds steady heat, good for pies and casseroles. Ceramic behaves like glass. Silicone doesn't conduct heat well, often needing 25F higher temperatures and longer baking times. Cast iron holds extreme heat, perfect for cornbread and pizza. The same brownie recipe might need 350F in light metal, 325F in dark metal, and 375F in glass.