Check the color
Gently squeeze the avocado in your palm
If it yields slightly to pressure, it is ripe
If it feels very soft or mushy, it is overripe
If it feels firm, it is not ripe yet
Remove the stem cap
If the area underneath is green, it is ripe
If the area underneath is brown, it may be overripe
If the stem cap does not come off easily, it may need more time
Check for dark, sunken spots
Check for wrinkled skin
Compare with the expected ripening time
Store unripe avocados at room temperature
Refrigerate ripe avocados to slow further ripening