How long do raw eggs last in the fridge and freezer?
In short: raw eggs keep 3 to 5 weeks in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. Do not freeze in the shell; beat yolks and whites together, then freeze.
Storage times at a glance
| Type | Fridge (40°F / 4°C) | Freezer (0°F / −18°C) |
|---|---|---|
| In the shell | 3 to 5 weeks | Do not freeze in the shell; beat yolks and whites together, then freeze |
| Raw whites and yolks | 2 to 4 days | 12 months |
Store eggs in the carton, not the door
Keep eggs in their original carton on a shelf inside the refrigerator. The door is the warmest part of the fridge and the carton protects the eggs from absorbing odors. If you bought eggs from a refrigerated case, keep them refrigerated: a cold egg left out can sweat, which helps bacteria get through the shell.
The float test shows age, not safety
An egg that floats in water is old because its air cell has grown, but that does not tell you whether it is safe. Crack eggs into a separate bowl before using them and throw out any with an unusual smell or appearance. Eggs remain usable for 3 to 5 weeks after you put them in the refrigerator, even if the sell-by date passes.
How to freeze eggs
Never freeze eggs in the shell; they expand and crack. Instead, beat the yolks and whites together, pour them into a container and label it with the number of eggs. Whites can be frozen on their own. Thaw frozen eggs in the refrigerator and use them only in dishes that will be fully cooked.
How to store eggs
- Keep eggs in their original carton on a shelf in the main body of the refrigerator, not in the door.
- Do not wash eggs before storing them.
- Never freeze eggs in the shell. Beat yolks and whites together before freezing.
- Hard-boiled eggs keep one week in the refrigerator, peeled or not.
Freezer times are about quality, not safety
Food kept continuously frozen at 0°F (−18°C) stays safe indefinitely; the freezer times above are about flavor and texture. Label packages with the date you froze them.
Avoid freezing, thawing and refreezing the same food. Every cycle damages texture and flavor, and food that thawed outside the refrigerator gives bacteria a chance to grow. Raw food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen, with some loss of quality. Food thawed in cold water or in the microwave must be cooked before it goes back in the freezer. Never refreeze food that thawed on the counter or stayed out more than 2 hours. Freeze in small portions so you only thaw what you need.
When in doubt, throw it out
These times assume food was handled safely and refrigerated promptly. If the package shows a use-by date that comes sooner, follow the label. Trust your nose too: if food smells sour, rancid or simply off, or looks slimy or moldy, throw it out, even within these times. The reverse is not true: the bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the smell or appearance, so food that smells fine past these times is not safe either. Never taste food to check whether it is still good.
Never lose track of the date again
The hard part is rarely knowing the rule; it is remembering when you put the food away. FridgeBuddy lets you scan the barcode and printed date, choose how early you want a reminder, and see what to use first across your fridge, freezer and pantry.
Source: USDA cold food storage chart on FoodSafety.gov, last reviewed by the agency on September 19, 2023. This guide is for general information; always follow the label and your local food-safety authority.
Frequently asked questions
How long do raw eggs last in the fridge?
3 to 5 weeks at 40°F (4°C) or below, according to the USDA cold food storage chart.
Can you freeze raw eggs?
Do not freeze in the shell; beat yolks and whites together, then freeze. Refrigerate instead and use within 3 to 5 weeks.
Related FridgeBuddy guides
- Hard-boiled eggs — Fridge and freezer storage times.
- Food storage chart — Fridge and freezer times for every food in this guide.
- Food expiration tracker — Get reminded before food in your kitchen expires.
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