Oven Rack Position Calculator
Find the best oven rack position and temperature for your food.
Get recommendations for baking, roasting, and broiling.
Recommended Rack Position
Oven rack position affects how your food cooks. Heat rises, so the top of the oven is hottest (for browning), the bottom is best for crispy bases, and the middle provides even heat.
Rack positions (most ovens have 5 positions):
| Position | Best For |
|---|---|
| Top rack | Broiling, browning, gratins, finishing dishes |
| Upper-middle | Thin cookies, toast, quick browning |
| Middle | Most baking (cakes, muffins, casseroles) |
| Lower-middle | Pies, pizza, bread (crispy bottom) |
| Bottom rack | Pizza on stone, thick roasts |
General temperature guidelines:
- Baking (cakes, cookies): 325–375°F (163–190°C)
- Roasting (vegetables, chicken): 400–450°F (204–232°C)
- Slow roasting (large cuts): 275–325°F (135–163°C)
- Broiling: 500°F+ (260°C+) — top element only
- Pizza: 450–500°F (232–260°C)
Tip: When baking two trays at once, use the upper-middle and lower-middle positions and rotate trays halfway through.