How long does ovulation last?

Bottom lineThe egg released at ovulation survives only 12 to 24 hours, but because sperm live up to 5 days, the fertile window spans about 6 days (the 5 days before ovulation plus ovulation day). The best days to conceive are the 2 to 3 before ovulation and ovulation day, not after, since the window closes once the egg is gone.

Ovulation itself - the release of an egg - happens in a moment, but the egg only survives 12 to 24 hours afterward. That short lifespan is why timing matters so much.

The key timings

• Ovulation: the egg is released, then lives 12 to 24 hours
• Sperm: survive up to 5 days in the reproductive tract
• Fertile window: about 6 days total (the 5 days before ovulation plus ovulation day)

So even though the egg is only viable for about a day, you can conceive from sex several days before ovulation because sperm wait for it.

What this means for timing

• Trying to conceive: the best days are the 2 to 3 days before ovulation and ovulation day, not after. Once the egg is gone, the window closes until next cycle.
• Confirming ovulation: a basal body temperature rise tells you it has already happened, often after the most fertile days have passed.

A common misconception

People sometimes think they can only conceive on the single day of ovulation. In fact, the days leading up to ovulation are highly fertile thanks to sperm survival.

Find your fertile days with the Fertile Window Calculator and Ovulation Calculator.

Femora maps your fertile window so you target the days before ovulation, when conception is most likely.