What is the proper oven rack height position for baking cakes and cookies? My oven has five rack positions.  When baking a cake mix, at what height should the oven rack be placed at?  If it helps, I usually bake using two 9" round pans.  The box of cake mix typically doesn't specify.  Is there a norm?

Also, at what height should the oven rack be when baking cookies (e.g. chocolate chip)?
Mid height for cakes in non-convection ovens, slightly above mid height for thin cakes, top for cookies. In a convection oven it doesn't matter because the airflow distributes heat evenly throughout the oven's volume.