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

• For soft boiled eggs with runny yolks, boil for about 3 to 6 minutes.
• For medium cooked eggs with a firmer yolk, boil for about 7 to 8 minutes.
• For hard boiled eggs with fully set yolks and whites, boil for 9 to 12 minutes.

A common recommended method is to bring water to a boil, gently lower cold eggs into the boiling water, then boil for the desired time. After boiling, immediately place the eggs in cold water or an ice bath to stop the cooking and make peeling easier. Specific timing can vary slightly by egg size and personal preference for yolk texture.