---
title: "When to take a pregnancy test: work out the day | PERIOD."
description: "Work out for free from when a pregnancy test is reliable, from your last period or the date of unprotected sex. With the earliest day for a sensitive early test."
url: https://myperiod.app/en/tools/when-to-take-a-pregnancy-test
lang: en
publisher: PERIOD. B.V., Amsterdam
---

[Free tool](https://myperiod.app/en/tools)

# When can I take a pregnancy test?

A pregnancy test is most reliable from the day your period was due. A sensitive early test can sometimes pick something up a few days before, but is often still negative then. If you do not know when your period is due, test at least 21 days after unprotected sex.

Calculate from

First day of your last period

Average cycle length days

Enter a date to calculate.

Everything is calculated on your own device. We store nothing and send nothing anywhere.

This is an estimate, not medical advice and not contraception. If in doubt, ask your GP or midwife.

## How we calculate

Your next period is your last period plus your cycle length. From that day a test is reliable. A sensitive early test can work at the earliest about 4 days before. From a date of unprotected sex, we count 21 days.

## Negative but no period?

Test again a few days later, ideally with your first morning urine. If your period still does not come, talk to your GP.

## Trying to conceive?

In PERIOD. baby you see your fertile days, log ovulation and pregnancy tests, and then follow your pregnancy week by week.

## Want to know every month, without the maths?

PERIOD. learns from your own cycles and keeps your predictions up to date. Free, no ads, and we never sell your data.

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100,000+ women

## Frequently asked questions

### How early can I take a pregnancy test?

A sensitive early test can work at the earliest about 4 days before your expected period. A test is reliable from the day your period was due.

### How many days after sex can I test?

If you do not know when your period is due, test at least 21 days after unprotected sex.

### My test is negative but my period has not come. What now?

Test again a few days later with morning urine. If it stays negative and your period does not come, talk to your GP.

### Does the time of day matter?

Early testing works best with your first morning urine, when the pregnancy hormone is most concentrated.

## Read more

- [Early signs of pregnancy](https://myperiod.app/en/blog/eerste-tekenen-zwangerschap)
- [Implantation bleeding or period?](https://myperiod.app/en/blog/implantatiebloeding-of-menstruatie)

## Other free tools

- [Period calculator](https://myperiod.app/en/tools/period-calculator)
- [Ovulation calculator](https://myperiod.app/en/tools/ovulation-calculator)
- [Due date calculator](https://myperiod.app/en/tools/due-date-calculator)
- [Pregnancy week calculator](https://myperiod.app/en/tools/pregnancy-week-calculator)
- [Conception calculator](https://myperiod.app/en/tools/conception-calculator)

Sources: NHS, Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle; NHS, Pregnancy due date; ACOG, Methods for estimating the due date.