The time it takes to boil eggs depends on how you like the yolk and white cooked. Here are common boiling times for different levels of doneness:

• About 5-6 minutes for soft-boiled eggs with runny yolks and set whites, ideal for dipping or "dippy eggs."
• Around 7-8 minutes for eggs with softly set yolks, good for Scotch eggs or slightly jammy yolks.
• 10 minutes for classic hard-boiled eggs where yolks are fully set but not dry or chalky.
• Up to 12-13 minutes for extra firm hard-boiled eggs, though cooking longer than 14 minutes can cause rubbery whites and a greenish yolk ring

A common method is to bring water to a boil, gently lower fridge-cold eggs into the boiling water, then start timing. After boiling, placing eggs in an ice water bath for 5-10 minutes stops cooking and makes peeling easier

. In summary:

Doneness| Boiling Time (minutes)| Yolk Texture
---|---|---
Soft boiled| 5-6| Runny to slightly jammy
Medium soft boiled| 7-8| Softly set, creamy
Hard boiled| 10-12| Fully set, firm but not dry
Extra firm| 12-13| Very firm, no green ring

This timing guide helps you achieve your preferred boiled egg texture consistently.