How long to boil eggs?

To boil eggs to the desired level of doneness, here are some general guidelines based on the cooking times provided in several sources:

Soft-Boiled Eggs

• For a runny yolk and soft white, boil for 6 minutes24.
• For a soft, jammy yolk, boil for 6.5 to 7 minutes1.
• For a slightly firmer yolk, boil for 8 minutes23.

Medium-Boiled Eggs

• For a medium yolk that is slightly soft but firm enough to hold its shape, boil for 8 to 10 minutes13.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

• For the early stages of a hard-boiled egg with some softness in the middle, boil for 10 minutes1.
• For a hard-boiled egg with a lighter yolk, boil for 12 minutes14.
• For a traditional hard-boiled egg with a firm yolk and white, boil for 12 to 14 minutes124.

Additional Tips

• Always start with boiling water to ensure consistent results and easier peeling23.
• Use a timer to accurately measure the cooking time.
• After boiling, immediately transfer the eggs to an ice-water bath to stop the cooking process and help with peeling124.

Here is a summary of the cooking times:

• 3 minutes: Very soft yolk and set white3.
• 6 minutes: Runny yolk and soft white24.
• 6.5-7 minutes: Soft, jammy yolk1.
• 8 minutes: Soft-boiled with a slightly firmer yolk23.
• 10 minutes: Early stages of hard-boiled with some softness12.
• 12 minutes: Hard-boiled with a lighter yolk14.
• 14 minutes: Fully hard-boiled with a firm yolk and white1.