Food storage

How long do eggs last?

Updated 3 July 2026 · 3 min read

Eggs keep 3–5 weeks in the fridge and are best used by the date on the box. Store them in their carton in the main body of the fridge — not the door.

EggsKeepsNotes
Fresh eggs (in shell)3–5 weeksBest by the box date
Hard-boiled (in shell)Up to 1 weekKeep refrigerated
Leftover raw yolk / white2–4 daysCover tightly

The float test

Not sure if an egg is still good? Pop it in a bowl of water. A fresh egg sinks and lies flat; an older-but-fine egg stands on end; a floating egg is past it — bin it. Crack any doubtful egg into a separate bowl first and give it a sniff.

How to store eggs so they last

Keep them in the carton (it stops them absorbing fridge smells and losing moisture) and in the coldest part — the main shelves, not the door where the temperature swings.

Use them up

Plenty of eggs to get through? Omelettes, frittata, shakshuka, pancakes and baking all make quick work of them. Ask What’s in my Fridge for ideas. See also: the full fridge storage chart.

Stop losing food to the back of the fridge

Snap your shopping and What’s in my Fridge logs it, tracks freshness, and nudges you to use things before they go off.

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