There is a carton of eggs in the fridge and the sell-by date was two weeks ago. Or you found eggs that have been sitting on the counter and are not sure whether they are still safe. Do eggs go bad?
The short answer: Yes, eggs go bad, but the dates on the carton are not the whole story. According to the USDA, raw shell eggs kept refrigerated are safe for 3 to 5 weeks after purchase, even if that takes them past the sell-by date. The float test most people rely on does not tell you what you think it tells you. And hard-boiled eggs are a completely different situation with a much shorter shelf life than raw eggs.
For a full overview of how perishable foods compare on shelf life, visit our Complete Food Storage Guide.
Key Takeaways
Raw shell eggs refrigerated: safe for 3 to 5 weeks after purchase, per USDA. Often good past the sell-by date.
Hard-boiled eggs: 1 week refrigerated only. Cooking shortens shelf life significantly.
The float test: a floating egg is old, not automatically unsafe. Crack and smell to confirm.
The sell-by date is not an expiration date. USDA-graded eggs can be safe 4 to 5 weeks beyond the Julian pack date.
The smell test after cracking is the most reliable spoilage indicator. A sulfur or rotten odor means discard immediately.
The 2-hour rule applies: refrigerated eggs left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should go back in the fridge or be discarded.
How Long Do Eggs Last?
Egg shelf life depends on how they are stored and whether they are raw or cooked. The USDA has specific guidance for each situation.
Egg Type
Refrigerator
Freezer
Raw shell eggs (in carton)
3 to 5 weeks from purchase
Do not freeze in shell
Raw egg whites
2 to 4 days
Up to 12 months
Raw egg yolks
2 to 4 days
Up to 12 months
Hard-boiled eggs (in shell)
1 week
Not recommended
Hard-boiled eggs (peeled)
1 week in water or airtight container
Not recommended
Scrambled or fried eggs
3 to 4 days
Up to 3 months
Egg dishes (quiche, casseroles)
3 to 4 days
Up to 3 months
Shelf life guidelines from the USDA FoodKeeper app and FDA safe food handling guidance. Always check eggs for spoilage before using regardless of date.
Understanding the Dates on Your Egg Carton
Sell-By, Pack Date, and Expiration: What They Actually Mean
Most egg cartons carry two or three different date codes, and most people misread them. Here is what each one means.
The Julian pack date is the most important number on the carton. It is a three-digit code printed on the short side of the carton, representing the day of the year the eggs were washed, graded, and packed. January 1 is 001, December 31 is 365. A carton stamped 032 means the eggs were packed on February 1. According to the USDA and the Egg Safety Center, eggs are safe to eat 4 to 5 weeks beyond this pack date when kept continuously refrigerated.
The sell-by date is a store management date. On cartons carrying the USDA grade logo, the sell-by date cannot exceed 30 days after the pack date. This does notÂ
