Pizza Cooking Time Calculator

Temperature vs Time Relationship: Pizza cooking follows an inverse relationship - higher heat means shorter time. At 900°F, a Neapolitan pizza cooks in 60-90 seconds. At 500°F, the same pizza takes 12-15 minutes. The high heat creates rapid crust development and prevents moisture from making the pizza soggy.

Why Rotation Matters: Most ovens have hot spots. Rotating pizza 180° halfway through ensures even cooking. High-heat ovens (800°F+) need rotation every 20-30 seconds! Lower temps (500-600°F) rotate once at midpoint. Watch for one side browning faster - that's your cue to rotate.

Toppings Impact Time: Heavy toppings (loaded veggies, lots of cheese, wet ingredients) add 20-30% to cook time. They release moisture that must evaporate before the crust crisps. Light pizzas (margherita, marinara) cook fastest. Pre-cook wet toppings like mushrooms to avoid soggy centers.

Visual Doneness Cues: Perfect pizza shows: 1) Crust edges puffed and golden-brown with slight charring (leoparding), 2) Cheese fully melted and bubbling, 3) Bottom crust firm with brown spots when you lift the edge, 4) Toppings cooked through. Trust your eyes more than timers - ovens vary!