How to boil eggs: soft, jammy and hard boiled, with a minute-by-minute chart

The short answer: to boil eggs, lower cold eggs into gently boiling water, cook 6 minutes for a runny yolk, 7 for jammy, 10 for firm and creamy or 12 for fully hard boiled, then move them straight into ice water for 5 minutes.

• Key numbers: 1 inch of water over the eggs · ice bath 5 minutes · hard boiled eggs keep 1 week in the fridge · about 14 cents an egg at Walmart
• Easiest peel: use eggs at least a week old and crack the wide end first
• Free and paid next step: get the free recipe book starter pages (we email it to you), or plan the week's breakfasts with the Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99).

Times and prices in this guide on how to boil eggs were checked November 4, 2026. The sections below cover a minute-by-minute chart, the boiling-water and cold-water methods, hard boiled eggs, easy peeling, steaming, Instant Pot and air fryer eggs, storage, and what a dozen costs.

How to boil eggs: minute-by-minute chart

Times are for large eggs straight from the fridge, lowered into water at a gentle boil. Start the timer when the eggs go in.

Size tip: add 1 minute for extra large or jumbo eggs and take off 1 minute for medium. USDA sizes eggs by weight per dozen: a dozen large eggs must weigh at least 24 ounces, extra large 27 and jumbo 30, according to the USDA FSIS egg guide.

Altitude tip: water boils at a lower temperature at high altitude, so eggs cook more slowly. Add 1 to 2 minutes above about 5,000 feet and check one egg before you pull the batch.

Method 1: boiling-water start (most exact)

This is the method to use when you care about the yolk, because the timing doesn't depend on how fast your stove heats a pot of cold water.

1. Boil the water. Fill a pot with enough water to cover the eggs by about an inch and bring it to a boil.
2. Turn it down. Lower the heat until the water is at a gentle boil. A hard rolling boil knocks eggs into each other and cracks them.
3. Lower the eggs in. Use a slotted spoon or spider so they don't drop and crack on the bottom.
4. Set a timer. Use the chart above: 6, 7, 10 or 12 minutes.
5. Ice bath. Move the eggs into a bowl of ice water for at least 5 minutes. This stops the cooking and makes peeling easier.
6. Peel or store. Peel right away for soft and jammy eggs, or dry and refrigerate hard boiled eggs in the shell.

Crack tip: if a shell cracks and a little white leaks out, keep cooking. USDA notes that eggs that crack during hard cooking are safe.

Method 2: cold-water start (fewest cracks)

This is the classic way many families learned how to make hard boiled eggs. It's gentle on shells and good for a big pot of eggs for egg salad or a party tray.

1. Cover the eggs. Put the eggs in one layer in a pot and add cold water to an inch above them.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Turn off the heat and cover. Leave the pot on the burner.
4. Let them stand. Large eggs: 4 to 5 minutes for soft, 6 to 7 for jammy, 10 to 12 for hard boiled.
5. Ice bath for 5 minutes, then peel or refrigerate.

How to make hard boiled eggs that peel easily

Hard-to-peel eggs are the number one complaint, and the fix starts at the store.

• Buy eggs a week ahead. USDA explains that a new egg's white has a pH near 7.4, which rises to about 9 as the egg ages. The higher pH loosens the white from the shell membrane, so older eggs are better for hard boiling.
• Start in hot water. Eggs lowered into boiling water or a steamer usually peel more cleanly than cold-start eggs.
• Never skip the ice bath. A full chill firms the white and helps it pull away.
• Crack the wide end first. That's where the air pocket sits. Roll the egg on the counter to crack the shell all over, then peel under a thin stream of water.
• Use a spoon. Slip a teaspoon under the membrane and slide it around the egg.

Freshness check: an egg that floats in water has a large air cell. USDA says that means lower quality but not always spoiled. Crack it into a bowl and check for an off smell before using it.

Why yolks turn green, and other fixes

Other ways to cook hard and soft boiled eggs

Steamed eggs: bring an inch of water to a boil under a steamer basket, add the eggs, cover and steam 6 minutes for soft, 7 to 8 for jammy or 12 for hard. Ice bath as usual. Many cooks find these the easiest eggs to peel.

Instant Pot eggs (5-5-5): add 1 cup of water and the trivet, set the eggs on top, cook 5 minutes at high pressure, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then put the eggs in ice water for 5 minutes. Use 3 minutes at high pressure with a quick release for jammy yolks.

Air fryer eggs: put cold eggs in the basket and cook at about 270°F for 15 to 17 minutes for hard boiled or 11 to 12 for jammy, then ice bath. Air fryers vary, so test one egg the first time.

Soft boiled eggs for toast: 6 minutes in boiling water, 1 minute in ice water, then crack the top off in an egg cup. USDA advises everyone to avoid undercooked yolks, and says young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk, so use pasteurized eggs or go to the hard boiled end of the chart for them.

How long boiled eggs last

USDA and the FoodSafety.gov cold food storage chart give the same answer for hard boiled eggs.

• Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. USDA explains that a thin layer of water forms under the shell during cooking, which is why hard boiled eggs spoil faster than raw ones.
• Keep eggs in the coldest part of the fridge, not the door, at 40°F or below.
• Label the bowl with the date you cooked them.
• Don't eat hunted eggs. USDA advises against eating hard boiled eggs that were hidden for an egg hunt, since the shells pick up bacteria.

What to make with boiled eggs

A batch of hard boiled eggs on Sunday turns into breakfasts, lunches and snacks for the week: For a folded egg breakfast instead, see our omelette guide.

1. Deviled eggs for parties and holiday trays
2. Egg salad sandwiches and lettuce wraps
3. Classic potato salad for cookouts
4. Grab-and-go quick breakfast ideas with toast and fruit
5. Jammy eggs on ramen, rice bowls and avocado toast
6. Chopped eggs on a Cobb salad or a spinach salad
7. A protein snack box with cheese, crackers and fruit
8. Egg and veggie bowls from our meal prep ideas

What boiled eggs cost

Eggs are still one of the cheapest proteins in the store. On November 4, 2026, a carton of Great Value cage-free large white eggs, 12 count, was $1.67 at Walmart, or about 14 cents an egg. The national average for a dozen grade A large eggs was $2.27 in September 2026, according to BLS average price data, or about 19 cents an egg.

A large egg (about 50 grams) has about 72 calories and 6 grams of protein, based on USDA FoodData Central values for whole raw egg, so at 14 cents an egg you get roughly 45 grams of protein for a dollar. Prices change by store and week, so check your own receipt.

Budget tip: buy the bigger pack when the price per egg is lower, boil a dozen at once, and write the price per egg in a grocery price book so you can spot a good deal. Our guides to meal planning on a budget and how to grocery shop on a budget show how to build a whole week around cheap staples like eggs, beans and rice. Shopping for a family? See what a realistic grocery budget for a family of 4 looks like.

Plan your egg breakfasts and save the chart

• Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. A weekly menu grid and an aisle-sorted grocery list, so the Sunday egg batch is planned into every breakfast and lunch.
• Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Fillable recipe pages and cards for your egg timing chart, deviled eggs and egg salad.
• Family Life Admin Bundle, $15.99 ($23.95 bought separately). Includes both printables above plus three more family organizers.

Pick your yolk, set the timer and keep a bowl of ice water ready. Once you know your minute, every batch comes out the same. For meal-prep batches, peel tips in context, and recipes built around a dozen perfect hard-boiled eggs, open the companion guide.

Frequently asked questions

How long do you boil eggs? Lower cold eggs into boiling water and simmer 6 minutes for a runny yolk, 7 minutes for jammy, 9 to 10 minutes for firm but creamy and 12 minutes for fully hard boiled. Move them straight into ice water to stop the cooking.

How do you make hard boiled eggs? Put eggs in a pot, cover them with cold water by an inch, and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat, cover, and let large eggs stand 12 minutes. Chill in ice water for 5 minutes, then peel or refrigerate.

Should you put eggs in boiling water or cold water? You can start eggs in either boiling water or cold water. Starting eggs in boiling water gives the most exact timing and usually easier peeling. Starting in cold water is gentler, with fewer cracked shells, but the timing varies with your pot and stove.

How do you peel hard boiled eggs easily? Use eggs that are at least a week old, chill them in ice water, then crack the wide end where the air pocket is and peel under running water. USDA explains that older eggs have a higher pH, which makes the white let go of the shell.

Why is there a green ring around my egg yolk? A green ring means the egg was overcooked. USDA says sulfur and iron compounds react on the yolk's surface, and iron in the water can add to it. It is safe to eat. Shorter cooking and an ice bath prevent it.

How long do hard boiled eggs last? Hard boiled eggs keep 1 week in the refrigerator, peeled or unpeeled, according to USDA and FoodSafety.gov. Refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking, and don't freeze them, because the whites turn rubbery.

Are soft boiled eggs safe to eat? USDA advises cooking eggs until the yolk and white are firm, because eggs can carry Salmonella. Young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should skip runny yolks or use pasteurized eggs.

How many eggs can you boil at once? Boil as many as fit in one layer with an inch of water above them. Crowding drops the water temperature, so add a minute for a full pot, or cook in two batches for exact soft and jammy yolks.

How do you boil eggs in an Instant Pot? Use the 5-5-5 method: 1 cup of water, eggs on the trivet, 5 minutes on high pressure, 5 minutes of natural release, then 5 minutes in ice water. Use 3 minutes on high pressure for jammy yolks.

What can I use to plan a week of egg breakfasts and lunches? The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has a weekly menu grid and an aisle-sorted grocery list, so a Sunday batch of hard boiled eggs is planned into breakfasts, lunches and snacks.

Where can I keep my egg timing chart and family recipes? The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has fillable recipe pages, dividers and cards, so your egg times, deviled egg recipe and egg salad ratio sit in one place.

Does HomeBase Paper Co. sell the meal planner and recipe binder together? Yes, HomeBase Paper Co. sells the meal planner and recipe binder together in the Family Life Admin Bundle, so meal plans and recipes stay in one system. The Family Life Admin Bundle ($15.99, $23.95 bought separately) from HomeBase Paper Co. includes the Meal Planner & Grocery List, the Family Recipe Binder and three more household printables.