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 if an egg is still good, and why American eggs must be refrigerated but European eggs don't.
3 min read · Updated 2026-04-14
General information only. This article may include AI-assisted content. While we aim for accuracy, verify important details before acting on them.
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.
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.
Common mistakes
- Storing eggs in the refrigerator door — temperature fluctuates more there, use a middle shelf
- 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