Timers
Egg Timer
A precise egg timer for soft-boiled, jammy, medium and hard-boiled eggs. Start the countdown when the eggs go into boiling water and get a clear alert at the doneness you chose.
06:00
Ready
Egg Timer
Jammy · 6 min
Start when the eggs go into boiling water.
Set white with a jammy center.
Completed
0
This tab
Preset
Jammy
Length
6 min
Boiled egg doneness guide
Extra soft
3 min
Very soft white and a runny yolk.
Soft boiled
4 min
Set white with a runny yolk.
Jammy
6 min
Set white with a jammy center.
Medium
8 min
Firm white and a slightly soft yolk.
Hard boiled
10 min
Fully set white and yolk.
Start the timer at the right moment
This timer assumes the eggs go into water that is already at a rolling boil. Lower them in gently, start the countdown, then keep the water at a gentle simmer.
If you start eggs in cold water, add roughly one to two minutes and use a recipe that accounts for the slower start.
Why an ice bath matters
Eggs keep cooking after you remove them from the heat because the shell and yolk hold residual heat. A bowl of ice water stops that carry-over cooking and makes the shells easier to peel.
Adjust for egg size and altitude
Large fridge-cold eggs are the baseline for these presets. Medium eggs may need a little less time. At high altitude, water boils at a lower temperature, so eggs often need extra time.
- Very fresh eggs can be harder to peel.
- Add about one minute for extra-large eggs.
- Use a timer you can hear if you step away from the stove.
How it works
Choose your doneness
Pick extra soft, soft boiled, jammy, medium or hard boiled. The preset sets the exact countdown.
Lower the eggs into boiling water
Start the timer at the moment the eggs go in so the result matches the preset.
Listen for the alert
The timer chimes when the countdown reaches zero, even if you are across the kitchen.
Ice bath immediately
Transfer the eggs to ice water to stop carry-over cooking and make peeling easier.
Good to know
- Presets assume large fridge-cold eggs and already-boiling water.
- Adjust by one to two minutes for egg size, starting temperature or altitude.
- The timer runs while this tab is open.
Common questions
How long do you boil eggs for a jammy yolk?
About six minutes in gently boiling water, followed immediately by an ice bath, gives a set white and a jammy center.
How long for hard-boiled eggs?
About ten minutes for large fridge-cold eggs. Move them to ice water right away to stop the cooking.
Should I start the timer before or after the water boils?
These presets assume the water is already boiling when the eggs go in. If you start from cold water, add one to two minutes.
Why do eggs crack in boiling water?
A sudden temperature change can crack the shell. Lower eggs in with a spoon or ladle and keep the water at a gentle simmer.