How Long Do Eggs Last in the Fridge?
Eggs can last several weeks in the fridge, but FDA best-quality guidance says to use them within about 3 weeks and keep them in the carton.
Eggs can often stay in the refrigerator for several weeks, but FDA best-quality guidance says to use them within about 3 weeks and keep them in their original carton. FoodSafety.gov's broader cold-storage chart lists raw eggs in the shell at 3 to 5 weeks. Discard cracked, dirty, or improperly stored eggs sooner.
Egg refrigerator timing
Raw shell eggs, original carton
About 3 weeks for best quality
FDA best-quality guidance
Raw shell eggs, cold-storage chart
3 to 5 weeks
Broader refrigerator storage range
Hard-cooked eggs
1 week
Shorter than raw shell eggs
Cracked or dirty eggs
Discard or avoid using
Higher contamination risk
Eggs stored in door or loose tray
Move to carton on shelf
Temperature and protection are steadier
Best quality and storage charts are different
The best-quality window is the more conservative answer for taste and freshness. The broader chart helps with safety timing, but it still assumes eggs stayed refrigerated and were not cracked or mishandled.
Store eggs correctly
- 1Keep eggs refrigerated in their original carton.
- 2Store the carton on a shelf rather than loose in the refrigerator door.
- 3Use eggs within about 3 weeks for best quality.
- 4Use hard-cooked eggs within 1 week.
- 5Discard cracked, dirty, or questionable eggs instead of trying to stretch the window.
FAQ
Are eggs still good after a month in the fridge?
They may still be within broader cold-storage chart timing, but FDA best-quality guidance says to use eggs within about 3 weeks and keep them in their original carton.
Should eggs be stored in the fridge door?
No. Keep eggs in their original carton on a refrigerator shelf where temperature is steadier, not loose in the door where temperature changes more often.
Do hard-boiled eggs last as long as raw eggs?
No. FDA guidance says hard-cooked eggs should be used within 1 week after cooking, whether peeled or still in the shell.
Sources & method
We reviewed these references while writing this answer. Figures are estimates — confirm safety-critical work with a professional. Last updated June 7, 2026.
- What You Need to Know About Egg SafetyU.S. Food and Drug Administration · fda.govSupports storing eggs in their original carton and using them within about 3 weeks for best quality.
- Cold Food Storage ChartFoodSafety.gov · foodsafety.govSupports the broader 3-to-5-week refrigerator range for raw eggs in shell.