Quick Answer

Soft 4–6 min · Medium 7–8 · Hard 9–12. Start timing when water boils, then ice-bath for easy peeling. Jump to chart ↓

🥚 How Long to Boil Eggs?

Start your timer the moment the water reaches a steady boil. When the timer ends, transfer eggs straight to an ice water bath for 5–10 minutes to stop cooking and make peeling easier.

🕒 Timing at a Glance

• 4 minutes: whites set, yolk very runny (dippy toast soldiers)
• 6 minutes: custardy center, thick/runny “jammy” yolk
• 8 minutes: mostly set, creamy center
• 10 minutes: classic hard-boiled, bright yolk
• 12 minutes: fully firm yolk—great for salads/deviled eggs

💡 Pro Tips

• Older eggs peel easier than ultra-fresh.
• Keep the boil gentle (active simmer) to avoid cracked shells.
• Ice bath immediately after boiling—minimum 5 minutes.
• Store peeled or unpeeled in the fridge up to 1 week.

❓ Quick FAQ

Do I start eggs in cold water or boiling?

For predictable results, lower into boiling water and start timing immediately. Cold-start works too, but timing varies with pot, burner, and egg size.

How do I avoid gray rings around the yolk?

Don’t overcook. Use the chart above, then ice-bath right away to halt carryover cooking.

What size eggs are these times for?

Large eggs. For extra-large, add ~30–60 seconds; for medium, subtract ~30 seconds.

Any peeling tricks?

Gently crack all over, roll to loosen, then peel under a thin stream of water. Older eggs + ice bath = easiest peels.

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⏲ Make It Foolproof

Prefer push-button perfect? These keep your hands off the timer and your eggs on point.

• Top-rated egg cookers — jammy to hard-boiled at the press of a button.
• Simple digital kitchen timers — loud, magnetic, dead-easy.

Last updated: September 7, 2025