How Soon Can You Take a Pregnancy Test?

If you're trying to conceive (or concerned about an unexpected pregnancy), you're probably asking: “How early can I take a test — and trust the result?”

Let’s break down when pregnancy tests work best, and how early symptoms and timing can affect accuracy.

📆 The Short Answer

You can take a pregnancy test as early as 6–8 days after ovulation, but for the most accurate result, wait until after your missed period.

That usually means 14–15 days after ovulation (DPO) if your cycle is regular.

🔬 How Pregnancy Tests Work

Pregnancy tests detect hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) — a hormone that starts rising after implantation.

• Implantation: Usually occurs 6–10 days after ovulation
• hCG builds: After implantation, hCG roughly doubles every 48 hours
• Urine tests: Most sensitive tests can detect 6–10 mIU/mL of hCG

⏱ When Should You Test?

• 🩸 Early Testing (6–10 DPO): May catch early positives, but also prone to false negatives
• ⏳ Best Accuracy: The day of your missed period or later (typically 14–15 DPO)
• ✅ Most Reliable: First morning urine (concentrated hormone levels)

🧪 Types of Pregnancy Tests

• Standard strips: Often found in cheap bulk packs — sensitive and cost-effective
• Digital tests: More expensive, but easy to read (“pregnant” or “not pregnant”)
• Early detection tests: Brands like First Response can detect very low hCG 5–6 days before your period

❌ What Causes False Negatives?

If you test too early, your body might not have enough hCG to detect yet. Other factors include:

• Testing late in the day (diluted urine)
• Irregular ovulation or implantation timing
• Expired or faulty test kits

📌 Final Thoughts

The wait can be tough — but testing too early might leave you confused. For peace of mind and accuracy, it’s best to test on or after the day of your expected period.

Already confirmed you're pregnant? Use our Due Date Calculator to see how far along you are and what to expect next.