How Long to Bake Potatoes?
A typical medium potato takes approximately 55 min – 1 hr 5 min at 400°F / 200°C. Large potatoes and jacket potatoes take longer. Use the calculator below to adjust for size, temperature and starting state.
Calculator
Estimated cooking time
55 min – 1 hr 5 min
- Oven temp
- 400°F / 200°C
Evidence-informed estimate · Cooking times vary — follow the food-specific completion and food-safety guidance.
- Toss in fat, spread in a single layer, and turn once or twice. Large whole = jacket potatoes (prick first).
- Times assume the food starts refrigerated, not room temperature.
Potatoes by method
At typical settings. Pressure cooker is fastest at 12–14 min.
| Method | Typical time | Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Boil | 25–29 min | |
| Oven | 55 min – 1 hr 5 min | |
| Air fryer | 34–39 min | |
| Steam | 30–35 min | |
| Pressure cooker | 12–14 min |
How to bake potatoes
Start checking at the early end of the 55 min – 1 hr 5 min estimate. Appliance output, size and starting state vary, so use the settings above and follow the food-specific completion and safety guidance.
Potato size and oven time at 400°F / 200°C
| Size | Approximate | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cubed (3 cm) | For mash or roast cubes | 38–45 min |
| Baby / small whole | ≈80 g each | 42–50 min |
| Medium whole | ≈180 g | 55 min – 1 hr 5 min |
| Large whole / jacket | ≈300 g, for baking | 1 hr 7 min – 1 hr 18 min |
How long does a jacket potato take in the oven?
A jacket potato is a whole baked potato, a term used especially in the UK. A large 300 g jacket potato takes approximately 1 hr 7 min – 1 hr 18 min at 400°F / 200°C. Prick the skin before baking and check that the centre is tender.
Browse all potato cooking methods or the oven cooking times chart.
How to know when it's done
Test with the tip of a sharp knife or a fork — it should slide in with little resistance. potatoes keep cooking slightly after they leave the heat, so check a minute early.
Food-level cooking reference: BBC Good Food — Potato glossary (checked 2026-08-18). CookCue applies deterministic adjustments; food-safety guidance is sourced separately.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I boil potatoes?
Cubed potatoes take 13–15 minutes, medium whole potatoes 24–30 minutes. They're done when a fork slides in easily.
Should potatoes go into cold or boiling water?
Cold. They cook more evenly and the outside doesn't turn mushy before the center is done.