How long do eggs keep?

United States Reviewed May 2026 Method v1.1 EU/UK: package use-by dates govern

Refrigerate fresh eggs in the shell for 3 to 5 weeks at 40 °F (4 °C) or below (US: keep refrigerated because eggs are washed). Hard-cooked eggs keep 1 week. Do not freeze eggs in the shell.

The 3–5 weeks is safety guidance for refrigerated US eggs. In the EU/UK unwashed eggs are often sold unrefrigerated — follow the printed best-before date and local guidance. Beaten eggs (not in shell) freeze at best quality for about 1 year.

Pantry

Region-dependent

US: refrigerate. EU/UK: per package

Refrigerator ≤ 40 °F (4 °C)

21–35 days

Safety guidance · Fresh in shell 3–5 weeks; hard-cooked 1 week

Freezer 0 °F

12 months

Best quality · safe indefinitely · Beaten, out of shell only

Calculate a date for eggs

Starting event Event date

Pick an event and date for a labeled result — never a bare “expiry date.”

Can I freeze it?

Safe, with quality loss

Never freeze eggs in the shell — they crack. Beaten whole eggs or separated whites freeze at best quality for about 1 year.

Whites freeze almost perfectly. Yolks gel when frozen plain — beat with a pinch of salt or sugar per ¼ cup of yolks. Hard-cooked eggs turn rubbery and are not recommended.

Prepare & portion. Crack, beat lightly, and portion into ice-cube trays or small containers; note how many eggs each portion holds.

Package. Airtight containers with a little headspace — liquid expands when frozen.

Thaw & use. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and use only in dishes cooked thoroughly (baking, scrambles).

Thawing and post-thaw handling

Thaw frozen beaten eggs overnight in the refrigerator, never on the counter, and use them only in thoroughly cooked dishes.

Refreezing

Do not refreeze thawed eggs. The general rules are in the refreezing guide and the Refreezing Decision tool.

Common mistakes

Freezing whole eggs in the shell.
Storing eggs in the refrigerator door where the temperature swings — keep them on a shelf in the carton.
Applying US refrigeration advice to EU eggs or vice versa — the washing regimes differ.

Package exception: EU/UK: the printed best-before date and local storage instruction govern.

Calculate a date for this food Open in Can I Freeze It? Make a label

Source-to-claim map
3–5 week refrigerator rule; hard-cooked 1 week; beaten eggs 1 year freezer quality — FoodSafety.gov — Cold Food Storage Chart · Refrigerator temperature and egg storage — FDA — Are You Storing Food Safely? · All sources · Change history · Report a correction