The time to boil eggs depends on how you prefer the yolk's consistency:

• 3 to 4 minutes for very soft or runny yolks with set whites, ideal for soft-boiled eggs you can eat with a spoon.
• About 5 to 7 minutes for medium cooked eggs with firmer whites and yolks that are slightly runny to almost set.
• 8 to 10 minutes for hard boiled eggs with fully set whites and yolks that are mashable but not dry.
• 11 to 13 minutes for fully set, typical hard-boiled eggs, but avoid overcooking to prevent dry, chalky yolks and rubbery whites.

For a classic hard-boiled egg, boiling for about 10 minutes is common, while shorter times like 6 to 7 minutes yield soft boiled eggs with varying yolk softness. After boiling, it's recommended to cool eggs promptly in ice water to stop cooking and make peeling easier.