For soft-boiled eggs, cook for about 4-5 minutes for a runny yolk and slightly set whites.
Medium-boiled eggs require 6-7 minutes, with a creamy yolk and firm whites.
Hard-boiled eggs need 9-12 minutes, resulting in fully cooked whites and yolks with no runniness.
Starting eggs in cold water and bringing to a boil provides even cooking and prevents cracking.
Cooking times affect ease of peeling—shorter times result in more difficult peeling, while longer times are smoother.
For more consistent results, use room temperature eggs instead of cold ones before boiling.
Larger eggs may require slightly longer cooking, while smaller eggs will cook faster.