In most places, how far along you can get an abortion depends heavily on the country, and in the U.S., on the specific state. Laws also change frequently, so you always need to check what applies where you live right now.

Key ranges you’ll see

Very broadly, current laws around the world tend to fall into these bands:

  • Up to about 10–12 weeks: Many countries and some U.S. states allow abortion “on request” in the first trimester (for example, up to 10–12 weeks of pregnancy).
  • Up to about 20–24 weeks: Some places allow abortion up to around viability (often defined in law as roughly 22–24 weeks), usually with more conditions or approvals as pregnancy progresses.
  • Beyond 20–24 weeks: In many regions, abortions after this point are only allowed for serious reasons, such as risk to the pregnant person’s life or severe fetal conditions.
  • Highly restricted or banned: Some countries and some U.S. states now ban most abortions or allow them only in very limited circumstances (for example, to save the pregnant person’s life).

Because you’re in the UK time zone region (T1), a common example is England, Scotland, and Wales: there, abortion is generally legal up to 23 weeks and 6 days, with some exceptions beyond that for serious medical reasons. Other countries nearby, like the Netherlands, allow abortion up to around 22–24 weeks based on fetal viability rules.

Typical cutoffs by method (general medical info)

Medical options also have their own gestational limits in many clinical guidelines (these are not the same as legal limits, but often used in practice):

  • Abortion pills (medication abortion): Commonly offered up to around 10–12 weeks in many settings.
  • In‑clinic procedures (surgical/aspiration, then dilation and evacuation): Can be performed later in pregnancy, with availability and exact limits depending on local law and provider training (sometimes into the second trimester and, in a minority of places, later for specific medical indications).

Why the answer isn’t one simple number

There is no single global answer like “you can get an abortion up to X weeks” because:

  • Laws differ by country, and in federal systems, by state or region.
  • Some places use a fixed week limit, others use “viability” (when a fetus could survive outside the womb) as the legal threshold.
  • Many areas permit later abortions only for specific reasons such as serious risk to the pregnant person’s health or severe fetal anomalies.

A rough real‑world example:

  • In England, Scotland, Wales: up to 23 weeks + 6 days in most cases, with some exceptions beyond that.
  • In the Netherlands: legal up to fetal viability, generally taken as 24 weeks in practice.
  • In parts of the U.S.: some states allow abortion up to viability or later with exceptions, while others ban most abortions very early or almost entirely.

If you’re personally pregnant and unsure

Because the legal details can be complex and change quickly, it’s important to:

  1. Look up abortion information specific to your country or state from a reputable, up‑to‑date health or government site.
  1. Contact a local clinic, doctor, or trusted helpline and tell them:
    • How many weeks you think you are (from your last menstrual period).
    • Where you live (so they can explain your local law).
  2. If access is restricted where you live, international support organizations and counseling services (like those referenced by groups such as safe2choose and similar services) can help explain safe and legal options that might apply to your situation.

This topic is medically and legally sensitive. If this is about you or someone close to you, reaching out to a healthcare professional or qualified counseling service as soon as possible is the safest way to understand your options in detail.

TL;DR : Around the world, abortion on request is often limited to roughly 10–12 weeks, sometimes up to 20–24 weeks, with later abortions generally restricted to serious medical reasons—exact limits depend entirely on where you live and the specific circumstances.