Hold the avocado in your palm and gently squeeze
Look for slight softness without mushiness
Check that the skin is dark green to nearly black, depending on the variety
Remove the stem cap and look for green underneath
Avoid avocados with large dents, cracks, or very soft spots
If it feels hard, let it ripen at room temperature
If it feels very soft, use it soon
Choose avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure at the stem end