Spin the egg on a flat surface; a hard-boiled egg spins smoothly and quickly
Stop the egg briefly with your finger, then release it; a hard-boiled egg stops and stays still, while a raw egg starts spinning again
Shake the egg gently; a hard-boiled egg feels solid with no sloshing
Peel a small spot; a hard-boiled egg has firm, fully set white and yolk
Cut the egg open; a hard-boiled egg has a firm yolk and white throughout
Check the cooking time; eggs boiled for about 9–12 minutes are usually hard-boiled
Place the egg in cold water after boiling; a hard-boiled egg is easier to handle and peel once cooled