You can take a pregnancy test as early as 6 days before your missed period with some of the most sensitive home pregnancy tests, such as Clearblue Early Detection or First Response Early Result tests, which detect very low levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine

. However, testing this early may result in a false negative because hCG levels might not yet be high enough to detect. For the most reliable results, it is recommended to take a pregnancy test on the day your period is due or after you have missed your period. At this point, hCG levels are typically high enough to be detected by most home pregnancy tests, making the results over 99% accurate

. If you test before your expected period and get a negative result but still suspect pregnancy, you should test again on the day your period is due or shortly after

. Additional tips for early testing:

• Use the first urine of the day when testing early, as it contains the highest concentration of hCG

• Avoid drinking large amounts of fluids before testing to prevent diluting your urine

• Follow the test instructions carefully to avoid false results

If you are unsure about your cycle or have irregular periods, waiting at least three weeks after unprotected sex before testing can help improve accuracy

. In summary:

• Earliest possible test: about 6 days before missed period with sensitive tests.
• Best accuracy: on or after the day of your missed period.
• If early test is negative but pregnancy is suspected, retest on missed period day.

This timing aligns with the biology of pregnancy hormone production, as hCG starts to appear in urine roughly 7–9 days after ovulation and increases rapidly thereafter