Ovulation usually happens about 12 to 14 days before the start of your next period, typically around the midpoint of your menstrual cycle. For an average 28-day cycle, this would be around day 14, counting from the first day of your period. However, the exact day can vary for each person and cycle, ranging approximately between days 11 and 21 of the cycle. The most fertile days are the few days leading up to and including ovulation, as the egg survives for about 12 to 24 hours after being released, and sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days.

Tracking ovulation can be done by monitoring symptoms such as changes in cervical mucus, body temperature, or using ovulation predictor kits that detect hormone changes in urine.