How do I know if my period is actually late?

Bottom lineYour period is late when it hasn't come by its expected date, which you find by adding your usual cycle length to the first day of your last period; a few days' variation is normal, but most consider it late after about 5 to 7 days, and you should take a pregnancy test once it's late if you could be pregnant.

Your period is "late" when it hasn't arrived by the day you'd expect based on your usual cycle length. To know that, you need to know your own pattern.

Work out your expected date

1. Find your cycle length - count from the first day of one period to the first day of the next
2. Add that number of days to the first day of your last period
3. That date is roughly when your next period is due

If today is past that date with no bleeding, your period is late.

What counts as late

• A cycle can normally vary by a few days month to month
• Most clinicians consider a period late once it's more than about 5 to 7 days past due
• A missed period is generally going 6 weeks or more with no bleeding

Common reasons

Stress, weight changes, exercise, illness, birth control, and pregnancy can all shift timing. If you could be pregnant, take a test once your period is late for the most reliable result.

Femora predicts your expected period date from your own cycle history, so you know exactly when bleeding is overdue.

Predict your date: period calculator