What Gas Mark Is 180

If you’re following a recipe and it gives a temperature in Celsius but your oven uses gas marks, you’ll need to convert the setting correctly to avoid undercooking or burning your food. In UK cooking, 180°C corresponds to Gas Mark 4. This is considered a moderate oven temperature and is commonly used for baking cakes, roasting meats, and cooking casseroles.

Understanding the relationship between gas marks and Celsius is essential if you’re working with older ovens or traditional recipes that don’t use modern electric temperature displays. While many newer ovens use digital controls, gas ovens still rely on the numbered gas mark scale, which is based on flame size and heat output rather than exact degrees.

Why Gas Marks and Celsius Use Different Scales

The gas mark system was introduced in the UK in the 20th century, primarily as a way to standardise settings across different models of gas ovens. Unlike electric ovens, which can display precise temperatures, gas ovens use numbered dials that correspond to a range of heat levels. These settings are less exact, but they’ve become a familiar guide for generations of home cooks.

Gas marks start at 1 and increase up to 9, with each step representing an approximate 10 to 20 degree jump in heat. Gas Mark 4, which equates to 180°C, sits in the middle of this scale and is widely used in everyday cooking.

Using 180°C in Everyday Cooking

A temperature of 180 degrees Celsius or Gas Mark 4 is the go-to setting for a wide variety of dishes. It’s hot enough to cook food through without burning it on the outside too quickly. You’ll find this temperature used in countless recipes — from sponge cakes and biscuits to chicken thighs and vegetable bakes.

For baked goods, this moderate heat allows cakes to rise evenly and prevents the outside from browning too fast. For meats and casseroles, it’s ideal for cooking food thoroughly while preserving moisture. If your oven tends to run hot or cold, you may still need to adjust slightly or use an oven thermometer to check the actual internal temperature.

Converting Between Temperature Scales

If you’re working between electric and gas ovens, or using a recipe from a different country, it’s helpful to know a few key conversions. Gas Mark 4 equals 180°C, which is also 350°F in Fahrenheit — a common standard in American cookery. This allows you to move between recipe books, online guides, or different oven types without guesswork.

Some modern gas ovens now display both the gas mark and the corresponding Celsius temperature, which makes things easier. But for older appliances, knowing the conversion can save you from cooking errors and wasted ingredients.

The Range Within a Gas Mark

While Gas Mark 4 is generally accepted as equivalent to 180°C, it’s important to understand that gas marks represent an approximate range rather than an exact figure. A typical Gas Mark 4 might cover somewhere between 175°C and 185°C depending on the model and age of your oven. Unlike modern fan-assisted electric ovens, gas ovens do not always distribute heat evenly, which can lead to hot spots or cooler zones inside the cavity.

Because of this, if your recipe is sensitive to temperature — such as a delicate sponge cake — it’s worth using an oven thermometer to check how close your oven actually is to 180°C when set to Gas Mark 4. What reads as 180°C on the dial might in reality be several degrees higher or lower in practice.

Fan Ovens vs Gas Ovens

Many UK recipes now include both conventional and fan oven temperatures. A fan-assisted oven circulates hot air to maintain an even temperature, meaning it can cook food faster and often requires a slightly lower temperature setting. For example, if a recipe says 180°C in a conventional oven, it may recommend 160°C in a fan oven.

This doesn’t translate to gas marks in the same way. Gas ovens don’t use a fan to distribute heat, so Gas Mark 4 reflects a conventional, static heat source. If you’re converting a fan oven recipe to a gas oven, it’s generally safe to use the higher of the two suggested temperatures — which is usually the conventional oven value — and monitor cooking times carefully.

How Gas Mark 4 Compares to Higher and Lower Settings

If 180°C is Gas Mark 4, it sits in the middle of the gas scale. Gas Mark 1, the lowest common setting, equates to around 140°C and is used for slow cooking or gentle baking. Gas Mark 6 corresponds to around 200°C, suitable for roasting meat or cooking foods that need a crisp finish. Understanding where Gas Mark 4 sits in this scale helps you gauge whether your dish requires a gentle bake, a moderate cook, or a high-heat roast.

For everyday cooking, Gas Mark 4 is a reliable default — hot enough to bake through a tray of biscuits without burning them, or to roast vegetables evenly over time. It’s also a good starting point when adapting recipes without specific guidance.

Why Oven Calibration Matters

Older gas ovens can become slightly inaccurate over time. The thermostat might not hold temperature as precisely as when the oven was new, which means that Gas Mark 4 today could be hotter or cooler than it should be. If you’ve noticed your dishes cooking too fast or taking longer than recipes suggest, your oven may need to be recalibrated.

Using an oven thermometer is the best way to test this. Place it inside your oven, set the dial to Gas Mark 4, and give it time to warm up. If the reading is significantly different from 180°C, you can compensate by adjusting your dial up or down slightly until it levels out.

Cooking Techniques at Gas Mark 4

Gas Mark 4 isn’t just about temperature — it also defines a style of cooking. At this level of heat, dishes cook through steadily without becoming too dry on the outside. It’s ideal for casseroles, traybakes, and one-pan dishes that benefit from even, sustained heat.

It also works well for reheating leftovers, as it’s warm enough to bring food up to temperature safely without drying it out. If you're unsure where to start with an unfamiliar dish, setting the oven to Gas Mark 4 is a reliable middle ground.

Final Word

Gas Mark 4 is the equivalent of 180 degrees Celsius — a moderate heat setting used for a wide range of everyday recipes. Whether you're baking, roasting, or reheating leftovers, this temperature is reliable and versatile. Understanding how to convert between gas marks and electric temperatures helps you cook with confidence, no matter what type of oven you’re using. If you’re unsure, keeping a conversion chart nearby or installing an oven thermometer can make a big difference in achieving consistent results.