Free Online Egg Timer — Soft, Medium, and Hard-Boiled
Get perfectly cooked eggs every time. Set your egg timer by doneness level — from runny soft-boiled to firm hard-boiled.
Egg Doneness Presets
Boiled Egg Timing Guide
Egg cooking times vary based on egg size, starting temperature (cold from fridge vs. room temperature), and altitude. The times below are for large eggs starting from a cold fridge, placed into already-boiling water.
| Time | White | Yolk | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | Barely set | Completely runny | Dippy eggs, Ramen |
| 6 minutes | Fully set | Jammy, flowing | Ramen, salads, toast |
| 8 minutes | Firm | Mostly set, slightly soft center | Salads, slicing |
| 12 minutes | Firm | Fully set, crumbly | Deviled eggs, egg salad |
Tips for Perfect Boiled Eggs
Always Use the Ice Bath
When your timer goes off, immediately transfer eggs to a bowl of ice water. This stops the cooking process instantly and prevents the dreaded grey-green ring around the yolk (caused by iron sulfide forming when eggs are overcooked). Leave them in the ice bath for at least 2 minutes before peeling.
Start with Boiling Water
Lower eggs into already-boiling water rather than starting in cold water. This gives you precise timing control — the timer starts the moment the eggs hit the hot water. Use a slotted spoon to lower them gently to prevent cracking from the impact.
Room Temperature vs. Cold Eggs
Cold eggs straight from the refrigerator need about 1 extra minute compared to room-temperature eggs. If your eggs have been sitting on the counter for 30 minutes, subtract a minute from the times above. In warmer climates, eggs stored at room temperature cook slightly faster.
Altitude Adjustments
At high altitude (5,000+ feet), water boils at a lower temperature, so eggs take longer to cook. Add 1-2 minutes to all times above if you're cooking at altitude. At sea level, the times above are accurate for standard stovetop cooking at a rolling boil.
Easy Peeling Trick
Older eggs peel more easily than fresh ones. If you need perfectly peeled hard-boiled eggs for deviled eggs or a party platter, use eggs that are at least a week old. After the ice bath, crack the shell all over by rolling the egg on the counter, then peel under running cold water.