How to Check If Eggs Are Fresh (3 Methods That Actually Work)
Your eggs might be fine. Or they might not. Here's how to know before you find out the hard way.
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The Float Test
Fill a bowl with cold water and gently lower the egg in. What happens next tells you almost everything you need to know.
Sinks and lays flat on its side: fresh. Use it for anything — poaching, frying, baking.
Sinks but stands upright on one end: still safe, but on its way out. Use it within a few days, and cook it thoroughly (scrambled, baked, hard-boiled).
Floats to the surface: discard. The air pocket inside the shell has grown large enough to lift it, which means the egg is old and likely spoiled.
The Sniff Test
If the float test is inconclusive, crack the egg into a separate small bowl — never directly into your batter or pan. A fresh egg has almost no smell. A bad egg announces itself immediately: sharp, sulfurous, unmistakable. There's no in-between, and there's no recovering from it.
Always crack each older egg into its own bowl before adding it to anything else. One bad egg can ruin a whole batch of batter.
Check the Expiration Date (But Don't Stop There)
The date stamped on the carton is usually a sell-by or best-by date — not a hard expiration date. It tells the store when to pull the eggs from the shelf, not the moment your eggs turn dangerous.
Properly refrigerated eggs are typically good 3 to 5 weeks past the purchase date. That said, the date is a useful starting point, not the final word. If your eggs are within that window, do a quick float test. If they're well past it, do the float test and the sniff test before using them.
How to Store Eggs to Keep Them Fresh Longer
A few small habits make a real difference in how long eggs stay good.
Keep them in their original carton. The carton protects the shells from absorbing odors and helps prevent moisture loss.
Store them in the back of the fridge, not the door. The door is the warmest part of the fridge and the temperature swings every time it opens. Eggs need consistent cold.
Keep your fridge at 40°F or below. Above that, bacteria can multiply quickly. A simple fridge thermometer is one of the most underrated kitchen tools.
Don't wash them. Eggs come with a natural protective coating called the bloom that keeps bacteria out. Washing strips it and shortens their shelf life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if an egg is bad?
The fastest check is the float test: place the egg in a bowl of cold water. A fresh egg sinks and lays flat on its side. An older egg stands upright. A bad egg floats. If you're still unsure, crack it into a separate bowl — a bad egg will smell sulfurous immediately.
Can you eat eggs past the expiration date?
Usually, yes. The date on the carton is a sell-by or best-by date, not an expiration date. Properly refrigerated eggs are often perfectly safe to eat 3 to 5 weeks past the purchase date. Always do a float test and a sniff test before using older eggs.
How long do eggs last in the fridge?
Stored at 40°F or below in their original carton, eggs typically stay fresh for 3 to 5 weeks past the purchase date. Keep them in the back of the fridge — not the door — where the temperature is most consistent.
What does a floating egg mean?
A floating egg has lost enough moisture and built up enough gas inside the shell to make it buoyant. That's a sign the egg is old and likely spoiled. When in doubt, throw it out.
Is the float test accurate?
It's a reliable first check, but it's not foolproof. An egg that stands upright is still safe to eat — just use it soon. An egg that floats should be discarded. For anything in between, crack it into a separate bowl and trust your nose.