The time to boil an egg depends on the desired doneness:

• For a runny yolk: about 6 minutes
• For a soft boiled egg (soft but set yolk): around 8 minutes
• For a classic hard boiled egg (fully set yolk): about 10 minutes
• For extra firm or well-done hard boiled eggs, cooking 12-15 minutes is typical

A common recommended method is to bring water to a boil first, gently lower in fridge-cold eggs, then start timing. After boiling, place the eggs in cold water or an ice bath to stop cooking and make peeling easier. Exact times can vary slightly based on egg size and starting temperature, but these guidelines hold for large eggs in boiling water. For example, 7 minutes warms to a jammy yolk, while 9-10 minutes firm up the yolk fully without chalkiness.