Egg Timer: Soft, Medium & Hard-Boiled

Egg Timer

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Egg boiling times at a glance

These times assume large eggs lowered into water that is already at a gentle, rolling boil. Start the timer the moment the last egg is in. Cooler eggs and bigger eggs need a little longer; smaller eggs and a softer simmer need a little less.

• Soft-boiled (6 min): liquid, runny yolk and a just-set white — ideal for dipping soldiers.
• Medium / jammy (8 min): a fudgy, custard-like yolk that holds its shape when halved.
• Hard-boiled (11 min): fully set, pale yolk with no grey ring if you cool it promptly.

• Poached (4 min): a set white around a soft yolk, dropped into barely simmering, lightly vinegared water.
• Fridge-cold start: add about a minute. A cold egg straight from the fridge takes roughly 7 minutes for a soft result.
• Egg size: add ~30 seconds for jumbo eggs, take ~30 seconds off for small eggs.

Tips for perfect boiled eggs

• Lower gently: use a slotted spoon so the shells do not crack against the pan and leak white into the water.
• Keep a steady simmer: a violent boil bounces the eggs around and toughens the white. A gentle, consistent bubble gives even, repeatable results.
• Shock in cold water: as soon as the timer chimes, lift the eggs into iced water. This stops cooking, prevents the grey-green ring, and loosens the shell.
• Use slightly older eggs for peeling: eggs a week or two old peel far more cleanly than very fresh ones.
• Peel under water: tap, roll, then peel under a running tap — the water slips under the membrane and lifts the shell away.

Egg timer questions, answered

Should I start the timer in cold or boiling water?

These presets are for the boiling-water method: bring the water to a gentle boil first, lower the eggs in, then start the timer. If you prefer a cold-water start (eggs in cold water, brought up to the boil together), begin timing once the water reaches a boil and shave about a minute off, since the eggs warm up on the way there.

Why did my yolk turn grey-green?

That ring is harmless and comes from overcooking — sulphur and iron reacting at high heat. Use the hard-boiled time rather than going longer, and cool the eggs quickly in iced water as soon as the timer ends.

Does altitude or pan size matter?

Water boils at a lower temperature at high altitude, so eggs cook a touch slower — add a minute or two if you are well above sea level. A crowded pan also drops the water temperature when the eggs go in, so cook in batches or add a few seconds rather than overloading the pot.

Will the alarm sound if I switch tabs?

Yes. Press Start once and the chime is unlocked, so it will play when the countdown reaches zero even if this tab is in the background. Keep the page open and your sound turned on.