You can take some tests fairly soon after sex, but the result may not be reliable until a bit later. Most experts suggest timing things around your missed period , not the exact day you had sex.

Quick Scoop: When you can test

  • Not immediately after sex: A pregnancy test will not show a result right away because your body hasn’t started making enough hCG yet.
  • Earliest rough window: Many sources suggest waiting about 10–14 days after unprotected sex if you don’t want to wait for a missed period.
  • Most accurate time: The first day of a missed period (often around 2 weeks after ovulation / last unprotected sex) is when home tests are most reliable.
  • Even better: Waiting up to a week after your missed period boosts accuracy even more and reduces the chance of a false negative.

Think of it like this: sperm and egg need time to meet, then the embryo has to implant, and only after that does your body make enough hCG for a test to detect.

Simple timeline after unprotected sex

These are approximate, not guarantees:

  • 0–6 days after sex: Too early. Fertilization and implantation may not have happened yet, so tests will almost certainly be negative even if pregnancy is starting.
  • 7–9 days: Still usually too early for most standard home tests; early tests might detect a few pregnancies but negatives are very unreliable.
  • 10–14 days: Some tests may start to detect pregnancy, especially if they’re “early response,” but a negative here can still be too early for some people.
  • Around the time your period is due: Best first moment to test for most people; many brands are quite accurate by now.
  • About 1 week after missed period: Highest accuracy for home tests; a negative at this point is more likely to be truly negative.

Extra tips (and what to do now)

  • If it’s been less than 72 hours and sex was unprotected or protection failed: You may want to ask a pharmacist or clinician about emergency contraception , which works before pregnancy is established and is more time-sensitive than a test.
  • Use first-morning urine when you test, because it’s usually more concentrated and can improve detection.
  • If your cycle is irregular or you’re not sure when your period is due: Many experts suggest waiting 9–14 days after unprotected sex before testing, then repeating the test a few days later if it’s negative but you’re still worried.
  • If you get mixed or confusing results: Repeat a home test in a few days, and consider a blood test or a visit with a healthcare provider for a more definitive answer.

Mini FAQ

Can I be pregnant if the test is negative a few days after sex?
Yes. Testing too early is a common reason for false negatives because hCG hasn’t risen enough yet. Retest after your period is due or after 14 days.

What if I really don’t want to be pregnant?
You still need to wait for the right testing window, but you don’t need to wait to ask a clinic or pharmacy about emergency contraception (if you’re still within the time window) and about your options and support.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.