325°F vs 350°F: Which Baking Temperature Should You Use?

Most recipes ask for 350°F, but plenty call for 325°F, and the 25-degree difference changes how your bake turns out. Here is what each temperature is in Celsius, what it does, and when to choose one over the other.

325°F and 350°F in Celsius

Fahrenheit	Exact Celsius	What recipes print	Fan oven	Gas mark
300°F	149°C	150°C	130°C	2
325°F	163°C	160–165°C	140–145°C	3
350°F	177°C	180°C	160°C	4
375°F	191°C	190°C	170°C	5
400°F	204°C	200°C	180°C	6
425°F	218°C	220°C	200°C	7

The formula is °C = (°F − 32) × 5 ÷ 9. For 325°F: (325 − 32) × 5 ÷ 9 = 162.8°C. Need another number? Use the oven temperature converter.

What 325°F does

A lower oven heats the food more gently. The outside sets more slowly, so the middle has time to cook through before the edges dry out or brown too much. Bake at 325°F for:

Cheesecake and custards, which crack or turn grainy when the eggs overheat.
Large or deep cakes, like pound cake and Bundt cakes, that need a long bake to set in the center.
Fruit cakes and rich loaf cakes full of sugar and dried fruit that burn easily.
Dark pans and glass dishes. Both absorb more heat, so many bakers drop 25°F when using them.

What 350°F does

350°F is the all-rounder. It is hot enough for browning and a good rise, but not so hot that the outside races ahead of the inside. It suits most cookies, layer cakes, brownies, muffins and quick breads, which is why it appears in so many recipes.

Can you swap one for the other?

Yes, with a time adjustment. Going from 350°F down to 325°F, expect the bake to take roughly 15–25% longer. Going up from 325°F to 350°F, start checking early. Always judge doneness by the food, not the clock: a skewer that comes out clean, a center that springs back, or the right internal temperature.

Fan (convection) ovens

A fan blows hot air around the food, so it cooks faster. Lower the temperature by about 20°C or 25°F. A recipe written for 350°F becomes about 160°C in a fan oven, and 325°F becomes about 140–145°C.

Is your oven telling the truth?

Home ovens are often 10–25°F off. An inexpensive oven thermometer on the middle rack shows the real temperature. If your cakes always take longer than the recipe says, a cool oven is the most likely reason.

Quick answers

325°F to °C: 163°C (usually written 160°C or 165°C), gas mark 3.
350°F to °C: 177°C (usually written 180°C), gas mark 4.
180°C to °F: 356°F, which recipes round to 350°F.

Converting a whole recipe? See how to convert a US recipe to metric.