- 180 degrees Celsius and 356 degrees Fahrenheit are the same temperature — just measured on different scales
- Most Ninja models toggle between Celsius and Fahrenheit by holding the TEMP button for 5 seconds
- The air fryer equivalent of a fan oven is the same temperature with 20 to 25% less cooking time
- 200 degrees Celsius / 400 degrees Fahrenheit is the working maximum for most everyday air fryer cooking
The Celsius / Fahrenheit Problem in Air Fryer Recipes
Air fryer recipes come from all over the world. Australian and European recipes use Celsius. American recipes use Fahrenheit. And unlike a conventional oven where you can usually squint at the conversion and get close enough, an air fryer's efficiency means that being off by 25°F (14°C) can make a meaningful difference — particularly for baking, delicate fish and chicken.
This guide gives you everything you need: instant reference conversions for every common temperature, the conversion formulas, and practical context for what each temperature is actually doing to your food.
Complete Air Fryer Temperature Conversion Table
| Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) | Gas Mark | Description | Typical Air Fryer Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120°C | 250°F | ½ | Very low | Dehydrating, keeping warm |
| 130°C | 265°F | 1 | Low | Slow roasting, warming dishes |
| 140°C | 285°F | 1–2 | Low-moderate | Gentle baking, cheesecake |
| 150°C | 300°F | 2 | Moderate | Kale chips, delicate baking |
| 160°C | 320°F | 3 | Moderate | Cakes, reheating pastry |
| 170°C | 340°F | 3–4 | Moderate-warm | Brownies, banana bread, reheating steak |
| 175°C | 350°F | 4 | Moderate-warm | Chicken breast, reheating pizza, cookies |
| 180°C | 360°F | 4–5 | Moderate-hot | Most chicken, fish, salmon, sausages |
| 185°C | 365°F | 5 | Hot | Most roasted vegetables, prawns, fish |
| 190°C | 375°F | 5 | Hot | Chicken wings, spring rolls, nuggets |
| 195°C | 385°F | 5–6 | Hot | Brussels sprouts, most crumbed food |
| 200°C | 400°F | 6 | Very hot | Chips/fries, steak, roast potatoes |
| 205°C | 400°F | 6 | Very hot | Crispier variations of 200°C foods |
| 210°C | 410°F | 7 | Very hot | Searing, maximum crispiness |
| 220°C | 430°F | 7–8 | Very hot | Maximum temperature most models allow |
| 230°C | 450°F | 8 | Extremely hot | Only available on some high-end models |
The Conversion Formulas
Celsius to Fahrenheit
Formula: (°C × 9/5) + 32 = °F
Quick method: Double the Celsius, subtract 10%, add 32. So 180°C → 360 - 36 = 324 + 32 = 356 ≈ 360°F (close enough for cooking).
Fahrenheit to Celsius
Formula: (°F − 32) × 5/9 = °C
Quick method: Subtract 32, then halve it, then add 10% of that. So 400°F → 368 ÷ 2 = 184 + 18 = 202 ≈ 200°C (again, close enough).
What Different Air Fryer Temperatures Actually Do
120–150°C / 250–300°F: Gentle Heat
At these temperatures, the air fryer is essentially a very efficient dehydrator or warming oven. Food won't brown significantly. Uses: dehydrating fruit slices, keeping food warm, very gentle baking.
155–175°C / 310–350°F: Moderate Heat
This is the baking zone. Heat is sufficient to cook food through and produce some browning, but gentle enough for delicate egg-based dishes, cakes and pastry. Reheating most foods without drying them out also happens in this range.
180–195°C / 360–385°F: Working Temperature
Most everyday air fryer cooking — chicken, fish, vegetables, sausages — happens in this range. Hot enough to brown well and cook through, without the risk of burning the exterior before the interior is done.
200–220°C / 400–430°F: High Heat
The maximum crispiness zone. Used for chips/fries, steak, anything where you want an aggressive, crispy exterior. Foods cooked at this temperature need more attention — check more frequently and don't walk away.
Fan Oven vs Conventional Oven vs Air Fryer
| Recipe Temp | Conventional Oven | Fan/Convection Oven | Air Fryer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recipe: 180°C conventional | 180°C | 160°C | 155–160°C |
| Recipe: 200°C conventional | 200°C | 180°C | 175–180°C |
| Recipe: 350°F conventional | 175°C | 155°C | 150–155°C |
| Recipe: 400°F conventional | 200°C | 180°C | 175–180°C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Many air fryers can be toggled between Celsius and Fahrenheit. Hold the temperature button for 3–5 seconds during setup, or check your model's manual. Most Ninja models: press and hold the TEMP button for 5 seconds. Most Cosori models: press TEMP and START/PAUSE together for 3 seconds. Consult your specific manual for exact instructions.
Not quite — a fan oven and an air fryer are similar technologies, but an air fryer's smaller cavity and faster fan speed makes it more efficient than a typical fan oven. As a guide, air fryer = fan oven temperature, but 20–25% shorter cooking time. Some high-end air fryers run so hot that you'd reduce the temperature by 5–10°C compared to a fan oven setting too.
Australian recipes use Celsius (metric system), while American recipes use Fahrenheit. The temperatures describe the same heat — they're just measured on different scales. 180°C and 356°F are the same temperature. Our conversion table above covers every common cooking temperature in both scales.
AirFryerTempConverter.com Editorial Team is a food writer and kitchen equipment specialist with over 12 years of experience testing appliances and developing recipes for home cooks. She has tested more than 30 air fryer models and contributed to food publications across Australia, the UK and the US. Read full bio →
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (2023). Temperature Conversion and Measurement Standards. US Department of Commerce.
- Consumer Reports (2025). Air Fryer Temperature Accuracy Testing. Consumer Reports.
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