Gently press the kiwi with your thumb; it should yield slightly without feeling mushy
Check the skin; it should look smooth and free of wrinkles or shriveling
Smell the stem end; a ripe kiwi may have a light, sweet fragrance
Compare firmness to an avocado; ripe kiwi should feel similar, but a bit firmer
If it is very hard, it needs more time to ripen
If it feels very soft or leaks, it is overripe
For green kiwis, a slight softness at the ends often indicates ripeness
For golden kiwis, a little give all over usually means it is ready to eat