A pregnancy test can typically read positive as early as 10 to 11 days after conception, which is roughly around the time of implantation when the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) starts to be produced and becomes detectable in urine
. Some highly sensitive at-home tests claim to detect pregnancy hormone levels even earlier, about 6 days before a missed period, but these early results can be less reliable and may produce false negatives
. For the most accurate results, it is generally recommended to wait until after you have missed your period to take a test, which is about 14 days post- ovulation or conception
. Blood tests can detect hCG slightly earlier, around 7 to 10 days after conception, due to their higher sensitivity compared to urine tests
. Key points:
- Earliest detection by urine test: about 10-11 days post-conception (implantation time)
- Some sensitive tests detect hCG 6 days before missed period but with less accuracy
- Best accuracy usually after missed period (~14 days post-ovulation)
- Blood tests can detect hCG earlier (7-10 days post-conception)
In summary, while some tests may show positive results as early as 10 days after conception, waiting until after a missed period provides the most reliable positive reading.
