Pregnancy Tool

Pregnancy Due Date Calculator — When Is My Baby Due?

Enter your last menstrual period date and instantly calculate your estimated due date, current pregnancy week, trimester, and days until your baby arrives.

100% Private Instant Results Medically Reviewed Naegele's Rule Based
Reviewed by Kiran Patel — BSc Nursing, 5 Years Women's Health Experience | Last reviewed: June 15, 2026
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Calculate Your Due Date

Estimated Due Date (EDD)
Current Pregnancy Week
Days Remaining
Current Trimester

Based on Naegele's Rule (LMP + 280 days). Confirm with your first ultrasound.

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Registered Nurse · 5 Years Women's Health & Maternity Care · Last reviewed June 15, 2026

What Is a Pregnancy Due Date Calculator?

Quick answer: Your estimated due date (EDD) is calculated by adding 280 days (40 weeks) to the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), following Naegele's Rule — the same formula OB-GYNs use worldwide.

A pregnancy due date calculator estimates your baby's expected date of arrival — called the Estimated Due Date (EDD) — based on the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). This is the same method used by obstetricians worldwide. The formula adds 280 days (40 weeks) to your LMP date, following Naegele's Rule.

How Doctors Calculate Your Due Date

Naegele's Rule: EDD = LMP + 280 days. This accounts for the 2-week gap between LMP and ovulation, plus 38 weeks of fetal development. Your OB-GYN uses this at your first prenatal visit and refines it with your 8–12 week ultrasound.

Pregnancy Trimesters at a Glance

Trimester Weeks Key Developments
1st TrimesterWeeks 1–13All major organs form. Morning sickness peaks weeks 8–10.
2nd TrimesterWeeks 14–27Energy returns. Baby movements begin (weeks 18–22).
3rd TrimesterWeeks 28–40Rapid baby growth. Braxton Hicks, back pain common.

Key Pregnancy Milestones by Week

Week Milestone
Week 6–8First prenatal visit, heartbeat detected on ultrasound
Week 12End of highest-risk period, first-trimester screening
Week 20Anatomy ultrasound — gender can be revealed
Week 24Viability milestone — baby can survive with intensive support
Week 28Third trimester begins, biweekly OB visits start
Week 37Full term — baby is ready for birth ✅
Week 40Due date arrives! 🎉

Why Your Due Date Might Change During Pregnancy

It's common for your due date to shift slightly as your pregnancy progresses, and this doesn't mean anything went wrong with the original calculation. At your 8–12 week ultrasound, your doctor measures the embryo's crown-rump length, which is actually a more accurate predictor of gestational age than LMP alone — especially if you have irregular cycles or aren't certain of your exact last period date. If the ultrasound measurement differs from your LMP-based date by more than about 5–7 days in the first trimester, your provider will typically adjust your official due date to match the ultrasound. Once this adjustment happens, though, your due date is usually locked in — later ultrasounds are used to check growth, not to re-date the pregnancy, since growth rates naturally vary more in the third trimester.

Why Only 4–5% of Babies Arrive Exactly On Time

It's worth setting expectations early: your due date is a statistical estimate of the midpoint of a normal range, not a deadline your body is working toward. A full-term pregnancy can end anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks and still be considered completely normal. First-time pregnancies, in particular, often go a few days past the calculated due date. Rather than counting down to one specific day, many OB-GYNs encourage thinking in terms of a "due window" spanning the last two weeks of your pregnancy.

Signs Labor May Be Approaching

  • Lightening: The baby drops lower into your pelvis, which can happen anywhere from a few weeks to a few hours before labor.
  • Losing the mucus plug: A thick discharge that can be clear, pink, or slightly bloody — labor may follow within days or up to a couple of weeks.
  • Increasing Braxton Hicks contractions: These "practice" contractions become more frequent as labor nears, though they're irregular and don't intensify the way true labor contractions do.
  • Water breaking: Whether it's a sudden gush or a slow trickle, this is a clear sign to call your provider right away.
  • Regular, intensifying contractions: True labor contractions get closer together, last longer, and don't ease up with rest or position changes — this is the clearest signal it's time to head to your delivery location.

What Happens If You Go Past Your Due Date?

Going past your due date is extremely common, especially with a first pregnancy, and isn't automatically cause for concern. Most providers will continue routine monitoring — sometimes with more frequent check-ins, non-stress tests, or ultrasounds to check amniotic fluid levels — through 41 weeks. Around 41 to 42 weeks, many OB-GYNs will discuss labor induction, since research shows outcomes are generally best when pregnancies don't extend significantly past 42 weeks. If you're approaching or past your due date, your care team will walk you through the specific monitoring plan and options that make sense for your individual pregnancy.

Preparing for Your Due Date

As your due date approaches, most providers recommend having your hospital bag packed by around 36 weeks, confirming your birth plan preferences with your care team, and knowing the signs that mean it's time to call your provider or head to the hospital. It's also a good time to line up support — whether that's a partner, family member, or doula — and make sure you know the fastest route to your delivery location, just in case labor moves quickly.

Sharing Your Due Date News

Many couples wait until after the first ultrasound confirms the pregnancy and gives a more reliable due date before sharing the news widely, since early miscarriage risk is highest in the first few weeks. There's no right timeline here — some share immediately with close family, others wait until the "safer" second trimester. Whatever you choose, having your due date confirmed by ultrasound first can help you share a number you feel confident about.

Only 5% of babies are born on their due date — is that true?
Yes! Research shows only about 4–5% of babies arrive on their exact EDD. About 90% of babies are born between weeks 37–42. The EDD is a target, not a deadline.
Can I calculate my due date from conception date?
Yes. If you know your conception date, add 266 days (38 weeks). Use our Conception Date Calculator to work backward from your due date.
What if my periods are irregular?
Irregular cycles make LMP-based due dates less reliable. An early ultrasound at 6–10 weeks is the most accurate way to establish your EDD when cycles are irregular.
Does my due date change if I'm carrying twins?
The calculation method is the same, but full term is defined earlier for twins — typically 37 weeks instead of 40 — since multiple pregnancies more often deliver ahead of a single-baby due date.
How accurate is a due date calculated from LMP alone?
It's a reasonable starting estimate for women with regular 28-day cycles, but a first-trimester ultrasound is considered more accurate and is used to confirm or adjust the date at your first prenatal visit.

📖 Related Articles

📚 Medical References

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) — Methods for Estimating the Due Date
  • Naegele FC — Lehrbuch der Geburtshilfe, 1830 (original Naegele's Rule publication)
  • Mayo Clinic — Fetal Development: The First Trimester
  • Cleveland Clinic — Pregnancy: Due Date and Gestational Age
  • WHO — Recommended Definitions, Terminology and Format for Statistical Tables

Medical Disclaimer: This tool is for educational purposes only. Due date estimates may vary. Always consult a qualified OB-GYN for personalized pregnancy care.

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