Fridge storage

How long do eggs last in the fridge?

About 21 days for eggs. That’s what Well Stockd plans on; the table below has the sources’ own times.

Times are for a fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below. They’re a guide, not a safety guarantee.

How we checked this: the storage times here come from USDA FoodKeeper and USDA FSIS, plus any other source named on the page, and each one is checked against its source before the page goes live. Editorial policy

Read the full guide: How long are eggs good after the expiration date?

How long they keep

Unopened
3 to 5 weeks refrigerated, commonly past the carton date Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Eggs in shell (opens in a new tab)
Opened or cut
Cracked out and covered, 2 to 4 days; hard-boiled in the shell, 1 week Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Raw egg whites and yolks (opens in a new tab)
Freezer
Not recommended in the shell (USDA FoodKeeper). Raw whites and yolks, out of the shell, keep about 12 months at best quality.
How to store them
In the carton on a shelf, never the door. Freeze beaten, out of the shell.
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How to tell if eggs have gone bad

Dates are estimates; these are the checks that actually decide it. Don’t taste food to check whether it has gone bad.

Throw them out at once if you see:

  • Sulfur smell on cracking

Warning signs (throw them out if you notice more than one):

  • Floats upright in water
  • Pink, green or iridescent white

Sources and limits

Write the date it went in on the container, and check it before day 21.

Well Stockd doesn’t know when this food was harvested, packed, bought, opened or cooked. Write down the date you opened, cooked or refrigerated it, follow the package directions, keep your fridge at 40°F or below, and check the official listing when food safety is in question.

The times in the table come from USDA FoodKeeper, USDA FSIS guidance on refrigerated storage, and any source named beside a row. The number at the top is Well Stockd’s own estimate. It’s a guide, not a safety guarantee: FoodKeeper says storage times are guidelines, and quality varies with how food is grown, handled, shipped and stored. This page was last updated .

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