How long can you keep eggs in the fridge?
Store-bought eggs last 3–5 weeks in the fridge. Here's the float test to check freshness, and why American eggs need refrigeration but European eggs don't.
By Askento Editorial Team · 4 min read · Apr 14, 2026
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Short answer
Store-bought eggs in the US last 3–5 weeks past the pack date when refrigerated. The "sell by" or "best by" date on the carton is not an expiration date — eggs are often still safe 2–4 weeks after that date. Use the float test to check if you're unsure.
Egg shelf life by storage method
| Storage method | Shelf life |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator (US washed eggs) | 3–5 weeks from pack date |
| Room temperature (unwashed/European) | 2–3 weeks |
| Hard-boiled, unpeeled, refrigerated | 1 week |
| Hard-boiled, peeled, refrigerated | 5 days (in water) |
| Raw yolks/whites, refrigerated | 2–4 days |
| Frozen (out of shell) | Up to 1 year |
The float test
Fill a bowl with cold water and place the egg in it:
- Sinks and lays flat: Fresh — eat it
- Sinks but stands upright: Older but still good — eat it soon
- Floats: Bad — throw it away
Why it works: Eggs have a small air cell that grows as the egg ages (moisture and CO2 escape through the porous shell). A larger air cell = more buoyancy.
Other ways to check
- Crack it open: Fresh egg yolks are round and stand tall; old yolks are flat. Fresh whites are thick; old whites are watery.
- Smell: A bad egg smells unmistakably sulfurous. If it smells fine, it probably is fine.
- Candle test: Hold a small flashlight against the egg in a dark room — fresh eggs are mostly opaque with a small air cell.
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Why American eggs must be refrigerated (but European eggs don't)
US eggs are washed and sanitized before sale, which removes the natural protective coating (called the "bloom" or cuticle) that prevents bacteria from entering through the shell. Without this coating, bacteria can penetrate more easily — hence refrigeration is required.
European eggs are typically not washed, keeping the bloom intact. They can safely sit at room temperature for weeks.
Can Egg Yolks Be Kept in the Fridge?
Yes — raw egg yolks can be refrigerated for 2–4 days. To prevent them from drying out and forming a skin:
- Cover with cold water: Place yolks in an airtight container and cover with a thin layer of cold water. Drain before using.
- Press wrap directly on surface: Lay plastic wrap flat against the yolks to block air contact.
Raw egg whites keep slightly longer — up to 4 days refrigerated in a sealed container.
Freezing egg yolks: Yolks gel as they freeze, which leaves them gummy and hard to blend after thawing. The standard fix is to whisk in a little salt or sugar before freezing — about ⅛ teaspoon of salt, or 1½ teaspoons of sugar, per ¼ cup of yolks (roughly four large yolks). Use salt for savoury dishes and sugar for baking, and label the container with which one you used. Freeze in an ice cube tray, then transfer to a bag.
Common mistakes
- Storing eggs in the refrigerator door — temperature fluctuates more there, use a middle shelf. A dedicated egg storage container keeps them stable and stacked neatly
- Throwing away eggs just because the "sell by" date passed — it's not an expiration date
- Storing hard-boiled eggs unpeeled for more than a week
Related questions
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- How long to boil eggs — timings for soft, jammy and hard yolks
- How to poach an egg
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