What Number Is 180 Degrees on an Electric Oven Explained Clearly
When you see 180 degrees on a recipe, what does that actually mean for your electric oven’s dial? On a lot of electric stoves, 180 degrees Celsius usually lands at about number 5 or 6 on the knob, but honestly, it depends on your oven’s model.
This range is what most folks call a moderate heat—perfect for baking or roasting just about anything.
If you don’t have a handy temperature guide for your oven, it might be worth digging up the manual or grabbing an oven thermometer for a reality check.
Knowing how to translate degrees into those oven numbers can take a lot of the guesswork (and stress) out of cooking.
If you want a deep dive, check out this oven temperature conversion chart.
Understanding 180 Degrees on an Electric Oven
Setting 180 degrees on your electric oven is a basic move, but it can make or break your baking. Ovens all seem to have their own quirks, so getting familiar with yours is worth it.
What 180 Degrees Represents in Oven Settings
When a recipe says 180 degrees Celsius, it’s asking for about 356 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s the sweet spot for cakes, cookies, and a bunch of other baked goodies.
Most ovens mark 180 degrees right on the dial. If your oven uses numbers instead, 180°C usually sits somewhere in the middle—think number 5 or 6 out of 10 or 12.
Some ovens have digital controls, so you can just punch in the exact number. That’s a relief if you’re aiming for precision.
How to Set 180 Degrees on Different Electric Ovens
If you’ve got a dial knob, look for the number closest to 180°C. Sometimes it’s marked, sometimes you’re just eyeballing halfway.
For digital ovens, just hit the keypad or touchscreen and type in 180. Some models let you swap between Celsius and Fahrenheit, so double-check which one you’re using.
Fan or convection ovens run hotter, so you’ll want to lower the temperature by about 20°C. If your recipe says 180°C, set a fan oven to 160°C instead.
Temperature Accuracy and Calibration Tips
Ovens aren’t always as honest as we hope. Stick an oven thermometer inside to see if yours runs hot or cold.
If you find it’s off by more than 10 degrees, poke around in the settings—some ovens let you tweak the calibration.
Try not to open the oven door too much while baking. Every peek drops the temperature and can mess with your results.
Keep the oven clean and check that the door seals tight. Heat escapes fast if it doesn’t.
For more conversion help, here’s a handy oven temperature table.
Converting Oven Temperature Units
If you ever need to swap between Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Gas Mark, it helps to know the basics. Following recipes from other countries gets a lot less confusing.
180 Degrees Celsius to Fahrenheit and Gas Mark
180 degrees Celsius pops up in a lot of baking recipes. To convert it to Fahrenheit, multiply by 9, divide by 5, then add 32. You’ll get 356°F, but most people just round it to 350°F—it’s close enough.
For Gas Mark ovens, 180°C is about Gas Mark 4. Gas Mark 1 is low heat, and the numbers climb from there, so 4 is right in that moderate range.
| Celsius | Fahrenheit | Gas Mark |
|---|---|---|
| 180°C | 350-356°F | 4 |
That’s the standard conversion you’ll want to remember if you see 180 degrees in a recipe.
Reading Oven Dials and Symbols
Some electric ovens use dials, others have digital displays. If yours uses Celsius, just look for “180” or “180°C”.
Certain ovens use symbols instead of numbers. One dot is low, two dots mean medium, three dots high. For 180°C, you’re aiming for medium—usually two dots.
If it’s a Gas Mark dial, find “4”. Digital ovens make it easy: just type in 180.
Confused by the symbols? The oven manual should clear things up. Brands like to do their own thing sometimes.
Common Uses for Baking at 180 Degrees
180°C is pretty much the go-to temperature for a lot of baked goods. You’ll use it for cakes, cookies, and even casseroles.
It’s high enough to cook food evenly, but not so high that things burn in a flash. Most sponge cakes turn out light and fluffy at 180°C.
Cookies love this temperature, too—it gives them that golden color and chewy center everyone seems to crave. Some recipes might nudge you to tweak the heat up or down, but honestly, 180°C is usually a safe bet.
If you’re ever unsure, just start with 180°C and see how it goes. For a more detailed conversion guide, check out this oven temperature conversion table.
