Egg timer
How long to boil an egg
These timings are from British Lion eggs and are for large eggs. There are two ways to start, and the time means something different in each.
| Time | Start | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 3 minutes | Cold water | Really soft yolk, set white |
| 4 minutes | Cold water | Slightly set yolk, set white |
| 4 minutes | Simmering water | Soft-boiled, gooey yolk |
| 5 minutes | Cold water | Medium: firmer yolk and white |
| 6 minutes | Cold water | Hard-boiled with a lightly soft yolk |
| 8 minutes | Cold water | Firmly hard-boiled |
| 10 minutes | Simmering water | Hard-boiled |
Cold-water start (British Lion method): cover the egg with at least 2.5cm of cold water, put the pan on a high heat, and start the timer when the water is almost boiling. Simmering-water start: lower the eggs into gently boiling water with a spoon and start the timer straight away, as in Lion's soft-boiled and hard-boiled recipes. Afterwards, run the eggs under cold water so they are easier to handle.
Runny eggs and the Lion mark
Hen eggs with the red British Lion stamp, or produced under the Laid in Britain scheme, can be eaten raw or runny, including during pregnancy, according to NHS advice. This reflects the Food Standards Agency's 2017 change to its advice on runny eggs. Other eggs, including duck, goose and quail eggs, should be well cooked.
Using the egg timer
Tap a time above and the countdown starts at once. The alarm sounds and the numbers flash when it reaches zero, and it keeps time if you switch tabs. Space starts and pauses, R resets. For other kitchen jobs, the 3-minute timer suits a pot of tea, and the online timer takes any length. Boiling a batch to different doneness? Open the 10-minute timer in a second tab for the hard-boiled ones.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you boil an egg for a runny yolk?
About 4 minutes for a large egg lowered into simmering water, according to British Lion eggs. From a cold-water start, 3 minutes after the water is almost boiling gives a really soft yolk.
Do I start the timer when the water boils?
With the simmering-water method, start it as soon as the eggs go in. With the cold-water method, start it when the water is almost boiling, not when you put the pan on.
Can pregnant women eat runny eggs?
Yes, if they are hen eggs with the British Lion stamp or from the Laid in Britain scheme, according to the NHS. Other eggs should be well cooked.