Egg and Kitchen Timer
Soft, medium or hard boiled eggs by egg size, plus quick times for everything else in the kitchen.
Boiled eggs
Start the timer when the eggs go into already boiling water. Times are for eggs taken straight from the fridge.
Quick kitchen times
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How to use the egg timer
- Choose Soft, Medium or Hard and pick the egg size.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, gently lower in the eggs and press Start at the same time.
- When the alarm sounds, move the eggs into cold or ice water to stop the cooking, which also makes them easier to peel.
Boiled egg times
| Doneness | Large egg | Small egg | Extra large egg | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | 6:00 | 5:00 | 7:00 | Set white, runny yolk |
| Medium | 8:00 | 7:00 | 9:00 | Set white, soft jammy yolk |
| Hard | 12:00 | 11:00 | 13:00 | Fully set yolk |
These are widely used starting points for eggs taken from the fridge and added to boiling water. Larger eggs need about a minute longer and smaller eggs about a minute less. If you start the eggs in cold water and heat the pot together with them, the timings are different because they depend on how fast your stove heats the water. Use these numbers as a starting point, then adjust by a minute or two and note what works for your stove.
Kitchen timer for everything else
Use the quick times for tea, rice, pasta, baking, marinating or resting meat. The page keeps counting if you switch to another tab, and the tab title shows the time left. Add a minute with +1 min if something needs a little longer.
Tips for reliable results
- Use a pot large enough that the eggs sit in one layer and are covered by water.
- Lower eggs in with a spoon to avoid cracking them, and keep the water at a steady simmer.
- Cool eggs in ice water for several minutes after boiling.
- Use the same pot, heat and number of eggs each time, then adjust the timer by 30 to 60 seconds to match your taste.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I boil an egg for a soft yolk?
About 6 minutes for a large egg taken from the fridge and lowered into already boiling water. Use 5 minutes for a small egg and 7 minutes for an extra large egg.
How long for a hard boiled egg?
About 12 minutes for a large egg. Many people use 10 to 13 minutes depending on how firm they like the yolk.
Do I start the timer when the water boils or when the eggs go in?
Start the timer when the eggs go into water that is already boiling. If you start them in cold water and heat everything together, the times are different and depend on your stove.
Why should I move the eggs to cold water?
Cold or ice water stops the cooking so the yolk does not keep setting, and it makes the shell easier to peel.
Is a runny or soft yolk safe to eat?
Health authorities such as the FDA advise that some groups, including young children, older adults, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems, should eat only fully cooked eggs. If that applies to you, choose the hard setting and cook until the yolk and white are firm.
Can I use it as a normal kitchen timer?
Yes. Pick one of the quick times, or use the countdown timer page for any length of time.