You can take a pregnancy test as early as 4 to 6 days before your expected period (which is about 5 days before your missed period). Some early detection pregnancy tests, like Clearblue, can detect pregnancy hormone (hCG) at this early stage, but the accuracy increases the closer you are to your expected period. Typically, hCG starts to appear in urine around 7 to 9 days after ovulation, and levels rise quickly thereafter. Testing too early can result in a false negative because the hormone may not yet be at a detectable level. For the most reliable result, it is best to take the test on the day your period is due or after a missed period, where accuracy is over 99%. If you test early and get a negative result but still suspect pregnancy, test again a few days later or on the day your period is expected.
In summary:
- Earliest: 4-6 days before expected period (some tests allow this)
- Best accuracy: From the day of the missed period onward
- Retest if early test is negative but pregnancy is suspected
Morning urine is often recommended for testing because it contains the highest concentration of hCG for early detection.
