Egg Timer — Soft, Medium & Hard Boiled
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.
Tap a preset and the timer starts — no fishing a phone out of a flour-covered pocket. The four presets (three, five, seven and ten minutes) cover everything from a runny soft-boiled yolk to a firm, easy-to-peel hard-boiled egg, so you don't have to cut 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.
- Tea — the same presets suit green (3), black (5) and herbal (7).
- Pasta — al dente most short pastas in 7-10 minutes.
- Boiling vegetables — broccoli, asparagus, green beans.
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; it starts immediately, so drop the eggs in.
- Use Pause if you need to — it resumes where it left off.
- When the alarm goes, lift the eggs out and chill them in cold water to stop carry-over cooking.
- Tap another preset for a second batch; the previous one resets.
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 very fresh ones.
- Pierce the wide end of each egg with a pin before boiling — releases air and reduces cracking.
- For centred yolks (good for deviled eggs), gently stir the water in the first minute.
- 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?
From boiling. Starting at the rolling boil gives 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?
Yes — three, five, seven and ten minutes suit tea, pasta, broccoli, resting rice and more.
How long for a soft boiled egg or a 6 minute egg?
A soft boiled egg with a runny yolk takes about 5 to 6 minutes from boiling water. The popular "6 minute egg" gives a set white with a jammy, just-liquid centre. Use 7 minutes for a fudgy yolk and 10 minutes for fully hard boiled.