Egg Boiling Calculator
The #1 most Googled cooking question, answered. Get the perfect boiling time for any egg, every time.
Egg Boiling Time Chart
Times below are for large eggs from the fridge, at sea level, starting from a full rolling boil.
| Doneness | Time | Yolk | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very soft | 6 min | Liquid, runny | Ramen eggs, toast soldiers |
| Soft | 7 min | Mostly runny center | Eggs Benedict, salads |
| Medium (jammy) | 9 min | Jammy, slightly soft center | The "perfect" egg, snacking |
| Medium-hard | 11 min | Mostly set, slightly moist | Egg salad, Cobb salad |
| Hard | 13 min | Fully set, no green ring | Deviled eggs, meal prep |
| Very hard | 15 min | Fully dry (may get green ring) | Not recommended |
The Perfect Method
Step 1: Bring a pot of water to a full, rolling boil. Use enough water to cover eggs by 1 inch.
Step 2: Gently lower eggs into boiling water with a spoon or strainer.
Step 3: Start your timer immediately. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle boil.
Step 4: When the timer is done, transfer eggs to an ice bath (bowl of ice water) for at least 5 minutes. This stops cooking and makes peeling easier.
Why Do Some Eggs Have a Green Ring?
The green-gray ring around overcooked yolks is iron sulfide — it forms when eggs are cooked too long or at too high a temperature. It's harmless but indicates overcooking. Following the times in this calculator will prevent it.
How Altitude Affects Boiling
Water boils at lower temperatures at higher altitudes (about 1°F less per 500 ft of elevation). This means eggs cook more slowly at altitude and need extra time. At 5,000 ft, add about 1-2 minutes to sea-level times. At 7,500+ ft, add 3-4 minutes.
How to get the egg you want
Boiled-egg doneness is all about timing, and a minute or two is the difference between a runny soft yolk and a firm hard-boiled one. This calculator gives times for soft, medium and hard eggs and adjusts for egg size and your altitude, since water boils cooler at height and eggs then take longer.
As a starting point for large eggs dropped into already-boiling water: about 6 minutes for a soft, runny yolk; 8–9 minutes for a jammy medium yolk; and 11–12 minutes for fully set hard-boiled. Bigger eggs need a little more, and above roughly 3,000 ft you'll add a minute or two because the water isn't as hot.
Tips
Start from a gentle boil and lower to a simmer so the eggs don't crack against each other. The moment they're done, plunge them into iced water: it stops the cooking instantly (no grey-green ring around the yolk) and makes them far easier to peel. Slightly older eggs peel more cleanly than very fresh ones.
Frequently asked questions
How long for a soft-boiled egg?
About 6 minutes for a large egg in boiling water — set white, runny yolk. For a jammy medium yolk, go 8–9 minutes.
How long for hard-boiled?
11–12 minutes for a large egg, then straight into iced water. Much longer and the yolk dries out and can develop a grey-green edge.
Why adjust for altitude?
Water boils at a lower temperature as you go higher, so eggs cook more slowly. Above about 3,000 ft, add a minute or two; higher still, add more.
Written by Nicolas Martin. Last updated July 2026 · How we keep our tools accurate →