Egg Timer Online — Perfect Boiled Eggs Every Time
Tap the preset that matches the egg you want — 3 min soft, 5 min medium, 7 min firm, 10 min hard. The alarm tells you when to pull the eggs out.
About the egg timer
How long to boil an egg (timing from a rolling boil): about 3 minutes for a soft, runny yolk; 5 minutes for a jammy centre; 7 minutes for a fully set yolk; and 10 minutes for a firm, easy-to-peel hard-boiled egg. Drop the eggs in, start the matching preset, then chill them in cold water the moment it rings.
An egg timer is the world's most popular kitchen tool that nobody owns any more — most kitchens have replaced the little wind-up tomato with a phone app or a microwave beep. ClockAura's egg timer brings the original idea back online: tap a button, get a perfect cook on your eggs, and an alarm that doesn't make you fish a phone out of a flour-covered pocket. The four classic egg presets — three, five, seven and ten minutes — cover everything from soft-boiled with a runny yolk to hard-boiled and easily peelable. Whether you are learning how to boil an egg or just want a dependable boiled-egg timer, the presets take the guesswork out — no more cutting one open to check.
Egg boiling times (from a rolling boil)
| Result | Time | Yolk |
|---|---|---|
| Soft-boiled | 3 min | Runny, liquid yolk |
| Medium / jammy | 5 min | Soft, sticky centre |
| Hard-boiled | 7 min | Fully set, still fresh |
| Extra-firm (slicing) | 10 min | Chalky, peels cleanly |
When to use the egg timer
- Soft-boiled eggs (3 minutes) — runny yolks for soldiers, ramen or onsen-style breakfasts.
- Medium-boiled eggs (5 minutes) — set whites with a slightly jammy yolk that's perfect on toast.
- Hard-boiled eggs (7 minutes) — fully set yolk that still tastes fresh, great for picnics.
- Extra-hard for slicing or salads (10 minutes) — chalky yolk, no chance of leaks.
- Perfectly steeped tea — the same presets work for green (3), black (5) and herbal (7).
- Pasta — al dente most short pastas in 7-10 minutes.
- Boiling vegetables to a precise tenderness — broccoli, asparagus, green beans.
- Quick microwave or steamer recipes that come with a strict cook time.
How to use the egg timer
- Decide the doneness you want — 3 for very soft, 5 for medium, 7 for hard, 10 for chalky and easy to peel.
- Tap the matching preset button. The countdown starts immediately so you can drop the eggs in straight away.
- Use Pause if a doorbell rings — the count picks up where you left off so the timing stays accurate.
- When the alarm goes, lift the eggs out and chill them in cold water to stop carry-over cooking.
- Tap a different preset to start a second batch with a new time — the previous one resets automatically.
Tips for boiled eggs
- Start eggs in cold water for steady, even cooking; start the timer when the water reaches a rolling boil.
- Older eggs peel more easily than fresh ones — keep a few in the back of the fridge for hard-boiled days.
- Pierce the wide end of each egg with a pin before boiling — releases air and reduces cracking.
- For perfectly centred yolks (great for deviled eggs), gently stir the water in the first minute of cooking.
- Cool eggs in an ice bath for at least 5 minutes before peeling — the shells slip off in big pieces.
Egg timer FAQ
How long should I boil an egg?
For a runny soft-boiled, three minutes from the moment the water hits a rolling boil. Five minutes gives a jammy centre, seven a fully cooked yolk and ten an extra-firm yolk that slices cleanly.
Should I time from cold water or boiling?
Always from boiling. Starting the timer at the rolling boil is the most reliable way to repeat the same result every time.
Why do my eggs keep cracking?
Eggs going from fridge-cold straight into boiling water often crack from thermal shock. Let the eggs sit at room temperature for ten minutes first, or pierce the wide end with a pin before boiling.
Does altitude affect cooking time?
A little. Above about 2,000 metres / 6,500 feet, water boils at a lower temperature, so add 30-60 seconds to each preset.
Can I use the egg timer for things other than eggs?
Of course — three, five, seven and ten minutes are the most-used short cook times in any kitchen. Use it for tea, pasta, broccoli, rice resting, anything.