Egg timer. Your way.12 minutes, hard, hot start
Size, texture and the moment you start the timer.
Hard, large eggs
Hot start · 212°F boiling point
Lower refrigerated eggs into gently boiling water, cover and turn off the heat, then start this timer.
Start at the right moment.
- 1
Boil first
Bring enough water to cover the eggs to a gentle boil.
- 2
Cover, heat off
Lower refrigerated eggs gently into the water. Cover and turn off the heat.
- 3
Start the timer
12 minutes. Time spent reaching a boil is extra.
- 4
Cool and check
Cool promptly in cold water. FDA recommends firm yolks and whites for unpasteurized shell eggs.
Size makes a difference.
| Egg size | Soft | Jammy | Hard-cooked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium | 5-6 minutes | 7-8 minutes | 10-11 minutes |
| Large | 6-7 minutes | 8-9 minutes | 12 minutes |
| Extra large | 7-8 minutes | 9-10 minutes | 13 minutes |
At 0 ft, the calculator’s boiling point is 212°F. Altitude adjustments need local testing.
A few things worth knowing.
How long to boil large eggs?
The American Egg Board gives 12 minutes for a large hard-cooked egg with the selected covered method. Start instructions matter: cold-start timing begins once water boils and the pan is removed from heat.
How long to boil eggs for a jammy yolk?
Our large-egg texture estimate is 8-9 minutes with a hot start. Soft and jammy times are texture estimates, not safety endpoints. Use pasteurized eggs for undercooked results.
Should I start eggs in hot or cold water?
Either covered method can work. For a hot start, lower eggs gently into boiling water, cover and turn off the heat. For a cold start, cover eggs with water, bring to a boil, then cover and remove from heat before starting the timer.
Does altitude change egg boiling time?
Yes. Water boils at a lower temperature at altitude. The calculator uses an editorial planning factor; test a small batch locally and follow firm-yolk safety guidance.
How do I cool and store boiled eggs?
Cool promptly in cold or ice water, then refrigerate. Keep eggs at 40°F or below and use hard-cooked eggs within 1 week.
Where this range comes from.
- American Egg Board: hard-boiled egg timingChecked 2026-10-01
- American Egg Board: easy-peel hard-boiled eggsChecked 2026-10-01
- FDA: egg safetyChecked 2026-10-01
- Colorado State University: high elevation hard-cooked eggsChecked 2026-10-01
Reference facts are compiled from primary charts. Adjusted ranges are planning estimates. Read how we calculate them.