Stage 3 of 5Planning IVFSee the full journey ↓

How many eggs to freeze calculator

How many eggs should I freeze?

Q: Where does the 15-egg figure come from?

One published cohort found a significantly higher live birth rate when 15 or more eggs were frozen per patient, irrespective of age at freezing. It is a useful planning anchor, though not a guarantee.

Q: Is 28% the number I should plan around?

It is the pooled average across all ages, which makes it a poor planning number for any individual. Use the figure for your age band, and treat both as population averages with wide confidence intervals.

Q: What proportion of eggs survive thawing?

Around 78.5% in the pooled meta-analysis, though it varies by laboratory. Ask your clinic for its own thaw survival rate — it directly changes how many eggs you need.

Eggs typically needed for a realistic chance of one live birth, by the age you freeze at.

Age at freezing

years

Children hoped for

These are example numbers. Replace them with yours, then press Calculate.

Example answer

18eggs

15–30

Usually two to three cycles. Still a realistic plan for most people.

This is a guide, not a diagnosis. Share the result with your doctor.

Your result on the scale

The ranges this calculator uses. Yours is highlighted.

Your numbers

Everything worked out from what you entered.

Live birth chance per egg: 6.5%
Target confidence: 70%
Eggs to bank: 18
Retrieval cycles likely: 2

What each result means

Your result is highlighted. Your own clinic's advice always comes first.

Your result<15

Typically one to two retrieval cycles. Freezing at this age gives the best eggs available to you.

Your result15–30

Usually two to three cycles. Still a realistic plan for most people.

Your result30–50

A substantial course of treatment. Worth weighing against the cost and against the chance you conceive without needing them.

Your result50+

Very high, reflecting steep decline in per-egg potential. At this point a frank conversation about realistic expectations matters more than a target number.

Where this fits in your journey

The usual order, from trying to conceive to pregnancy. Not everyone needs every stage. This calculator belongs to stage 3.

Stage 3 · you are here

Planning IVF

Chances, costs and options, before you start.

Your chances
→
Costs and time
→
Egg freezing

This calculator: How many eggs should I freeze?

Calculators for what comes next

How this is worked out

Population estimateAn average for people with your inputs, not a prediction for you. Individual outcomes vary widely around it.

A 2024 systematic review of planned egg freezing found a live birth rate of 28% per patient overall, rising to 52% for women who froze at 35 or younger and falling to 19% for those who froze at 40 or over. Oocyte survival after thawing averaged 78.5%.

About this calculator

?What it tells you

A realistic number for your age. Eggs typically needed for a realistic chance of one live birth, by the age you freeze at.

✓When to use it

Before booking freezing, to set a realistic target

iWhat you need

Age at freezing (years)
Children hoped for

!What it cannot tell you

Published live birth rates per patient from planned oocyte cryopreservation. These describe women who returned and thawed their eggs — most people who freeze never do.

Common questions

Where does the 15-egg figure come from?

One published cohort found a significantly higher live birth rate when 15 or more eggs were frozen per patient, irrespective of age at freezing. It is a useful planning anchor, though not a guarantee.

Is 28% the number I should plan around?

It is the pooled average across all ages, which makes it a poor planning number for any individual. Use the figure for your age band, and treat both as population averages with wide confidence intervals.

What proportion of eggs survive thawing?

Around 78.5% in the pooled meta-analysis, though it varies by laboratory. Ask your clinic for its own thaw survival rate — it directly changes how many eggs you need.

Sources

Hirsch et al., Human Reproduction Update 2024 (systematic review and meta-regression): live birth 28% per patient overall; 52% (95% CI 41–63) if frozen at ≤35; 19% (95% CI 13–29) if frozen at ≥40; oocyte survival 78.5% (95% CI 74–83). One cohort found significantly higher live birth rates when 15 or more eggs were frozen, irrespective of age.

Hirsch et al., Human Reproduction Update (2024)

In an emergency

If you have any of the warning signs listed here, don't wait for a test result or a calculator. Get help now.

112All emergencies, anywhere in India 108Ambulance

Also call your IVF clinic. Most clinics give an emergency number on your treatment or discharge sheet. Save it in your phone now, before you need it.