How Long to Boil Eggs
Perfectly boiled eggs.
Every single time.
Lower large eggs straight from the fridge into boiling water. Boil 6 minutes for a runny yolk, 7 for jammy, 9 for medium and 12 for hard-boiled. Then move them to an ice bath.
- Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil.
- Lower the eggs in gently with a spoon and start the timer.
- When it rings, chill the eggs in ice water for 5 minutes, then peel.
Egg Timer
Egg Boiling Chart
Times are for large eggs, cold from the fridge, lowered into water that’s already at a full boil.
| Doneness | Boil time | Yolk | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft-boiled | 6 min | Runny, liquid center | Toast soldiers, egg cups |
| Jammy | 7 min | Thick, sticky, just set at the edge | Ramen, grain bowls, avocado toast |
| Medium | 9 min | Set, soft and fudgy in the middle | Salads, snacking |
| Hard-boiled | 12 min | Fully set, pale yellow | Deviled eggs, egg salad, meal prep |
When to Change the Time
The chart assumes large eggs from the fridge, boiled at sea level. Adjust for any of these.
Egg Size
−30 sec to +1 minMedium eggs need a little less time; extra-large and jumbo need a little more. The timer adjusts for you.
Room-Temperature Eggs
−1 minEggs that start warmer cook faster. Take about a minute off the chart time.
High Altitude
Add timeWater boils at a lower temperature up high, so eggs take longer. Cook a test egg a minute past the chart and adjust.
A Crowded Pot
Bigger potLots of cold eggs drop the water temperature. Use a bigger pot so it comes back to a boil quickly.
More Egg Guides
Step-by-step timing for every kind of yolk, plus how long boiled eggs keep.
Cooking Times for Everything Else
Every method, every food, with a time you can trust.
Turkey Cooking Time by Weight
Enter the weight and get oven time, stuffed or unstuffed, plus thawing time.
Open calculatorEgg Boiling Questions
Quick answers to the questions people ask most.
Should eggs go into cold water or boiling water?
Boiling. Starting in hot water makes the timing the same every time, no matter your stove or pot, and the eggs tend to peel more easily.
Why put boiled eggs in ice water?
The ice bath stops the cooking so the yolk stays exactly where the timer left it, and it makes the shells easier to remove.
How long do hard-boiled eggs last?
Up to a week in the fridge, according to USDA guidance. Refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking.
Why is there a green ring around my yolk?
That’s a sign of overcooking or slow cooling. Stick to the chart time and chill the eggs right away. The ring is safe to eat.