How to Change a Microwave from Fahrenheit to Celsius

Read the display in the mode you use

Microwave ovens that include a temperature probe or convection heating can show temperatures in either Fahrenheit or Celsius. The display in the main microwave-only mode is usually just a timer, so you may only notice the temperature scale when you use the probe or select a convection cooking temperature.

If you are not sure whether your microwave has these features, look for a metal probe jack inside the cavity or a convection mode on the control panel. You can also check the temperature probe explained page to see how the probe is used and how it differs from a standard sensor cooking program.

On a basic microwave-only model, the display may only show cooking time and power level, so you may never see a temperature scale. On a convection microwave or one with a temperature probe, the control panel usually changes to show a target temperature when you select those modes. Because of that, the unit switch is most important if you plan to use those cooking functions. If you are still deciding which type to buy, the sensor cooking vs temperature probe page explains how the two features differ.

Find the setting in the control menu

The temperature unit control is rarely on the main keypad. On many models, you press a Settings or Menu button, then scroll through options such as Clock, Sound, Display, and Units. Some microwaves label it Temperature Unit or Units, and some simply show Fahrenheit and Celsius as choices.

Because control layouts differ, the fastest way is to open the owner's manual. Manufacturers publish manuals on their support pages, and the table of contents or index will usually list "temperature unit" or "Celsius." For general guidance on control styles, see microwave control types and microwave keypad layout and button size.

Some makers use a dedicated Settings button marked with a gear or wrench icon; others place the unit option inside a longer menu that also includes Clock, Sound, Display Brightness, and Energy Saving. If you see a Temperature or Units option, choose it and confirm your selection. On a smart microwave, the same setting may also appear in the companion app, which can be convenient if you prefer to change it from your phone. For more about connected models, see smart microwave features.

Common controls for switching units

While no single sequence works for every brand, most models follow a similar pattern when the microwave is in standby mode: Open the settings menu, select the temperature unit option, choose Celsius, and confirm your choice. On models that use a dial, you may turn the dial to highlight the option and press it to select. On models with a flat digital keypad, you may need to use arrow keys.

Some microwaves let you cycle between Fahrenheit and Celsius by holding a dedicated button, often the Probe or Convection button, for a few seconds. If that works, the display should change without entering the full settings menu.

If your microwave has a dial, the display may show Fahrenheit and Celsius side by side while you turn the dial. On a model with arrow keys, press the up or down arrow to highlight Celsius, then press Start or OK. On some models, holding the Probe button when the probe is connected opens a temperature unit menu, while holding the Convection button does the same for the convection temperature. These shortcuts are not universal, so try them only if you cannot find the setting in the main menu.

• Press Settings or Menu.
• Look for Units, Temperature Unit, or Unit Format.
• Select Celsius or °C.
• Press Start, OK, or Confirm to save the change.

Check the manual or manufacturer support page

If the setting is not in the obvious menu, search the manufacturer's website for your model number. Many appliance makers, including GE Appliances, maintain a manual library under their owner support section. The manual will show the exact button sequence and whether the unit setting applies to probe cooking, convection cooking, or both.

When you find the correct page, bookmark it or keep a photo on your phone. You may need it again after a power outage or factory reset, because not every microwave remembers the unit preference.

Many manufacturers organize their manuals by model family. If you know the family name, such as a specific countertop convection series, you can often find the same instructions across several models. When you download the manual, look in the index for "temperature unit," "Celsius," or "Fahrenheit." The page number will tell you where the setting is described. If the manual is not available as a PDF, use the manufacturer's support contact form and ask for the exact procedure for your model number.

For help locating the model number, see how to read microwave model numbers.

If the unit switch is not available

Not all microwaves let you change the temperature scale. Some models are fixed to Fahrenheit, especially units sold in the United States. Others may only display Celsius in convection mode and still use Fahrenheit for the probe target.

If you cannot find a unit option, keep a Fahrenheit-to-Celsius conversion chart near the microwave. You can convert any recipe temperature before you enter it into the control panel. This is less convenient than a menu switch, but it works with every model.

A conversion chart or a small kitchen calculator is the simplest workaround. Before you start cooking, convert the recipe temperature once and write it down, so you do not have to recalculate while the oven is running. Keep the chart near the microwave or in a drawer. If you cook with a probe regularly, you may prefer a model that lets you set the display scale, so the target temperature you enter matches the thermometer reading you expect.

If you are choosing a new microwave and the display scale matters to you, compare the control panels and manual PDFs before buying. Models with a full settings menu are more likely to offer the option. See the best convection microwaves and best sensor cooking microwaves guides for models that are more likely to include a temperature probe and convection controls.

Probes, convection heat, and food safety

A temperature probe is useful because it lets you cook to a target internal temperature instead of guessing by time. The FDA's safe food handling guidance recommends using a food thermometer to confirm that meat, poultry, seafood, and egg dishes reach a safe minimum internal temperature. When your microwave displays that target in Celsius, make sure you are reading the correct scale before you start.

Convection microwaves combine microwave energy with circulated hot air, which makes them useful for roasting and baking. The same temperature unit setting often controls both the convection oven temperature and the probe display, so changing the scale once usually takes care of both. If you notice a mismatch after switching, check whether the probe and convection settings are stored separately. To understand how convection cooking differs from standard microwave cooking, see convection microwave vs standard.

The FDA's safe handling advice also emphasizes covering food, stirring or rotating it partway through cooking, and letting it stand before checking the temperature. These steps apply whether you use the probe in Fahrenheit or Celsius. When you use the probe to cook meat or poultry, remember that the displayed target is the internal temperature you are aiming for, not the air temperature inside the cavity. For more detail, see how to use a microwave temperature probe correctly.

What to do after switching

After you change the unit to Celsius, check the display while in probe or convection mode to confirm the new scale is active. Enter a simple test target, such as a low temperature you know in both scales, and confirm that the number looks like Celsius before you rely on it for a real recipe.

If the microwave has a probe, place the probe in the food and set the target using the Celsius value from your recipe. For convection baking, preheat to the Celsius temperature shown in the recipe. If your microwave only offers Fahrenheit and Celsius as fixed settings, the change should take effect immediately, but some models require you to press Start once to save the selection before it stays in memory.

After a power interruption, a factory reset, or unplugging the oven for cleaning, check the unit setting again. It may revert to the default scale. This is common enough that it is worth a quick glance whenever the microwave behaves differently after being unplugged.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Can every microwave switch from Fahrenheit to Celsius?

No. The ability to change temperature units depends on the model. Microwaves with convection cooking or a temperature probe are more likely to offer the setting than basic microwave-only models. If the option is not listed in the manual, the display is probably fixed to the scale used in your region.

Where is the Fahrenheit to Celsius setting on a microwave?

It is usually inside the Settings or Menu menu under a name like Units, Temperature Unit, or Unit Format. On some models you can also hold a specific button, such as Probe or Convection, to toggle the scale. If you cannot find it, search the manual for the terms temperature unit or Celsius.

Will changing to Celsius affect cooking times?

No. The setting only changes the temperature scale shown on the display. It does not change the microwave power, cooking time, or actual temperature in the cavity. However, you should recheck the target number after switching, because entering 200 in Celsius is very different from entering 200 in Fahrenheit.

Why does my microwave probe show Fahrenheit even after I changed the convection setting to Celsius?

Some models store the probe temperature unit separately from the convection temperature unit. Check the manual for a probe-specific unit option, or look for a Units setting while the probe mode is active. If the setting is not separate, you may need to convert the probe target each time you cook in Celsius.

What should I do if my microwave has no Celsius option?

Use a conversion chart and enter the Celsius equivalent as a Fahrenheit temperature if the display is fixed, or choose a different microwave model if the unit switch is important to you. A kitchen scale or calculator can help you convert the numbers before you start cooking.