When is a period late?

There’s no exact number of days that makes a period ‘late’. It depends on what’s normal for you, and most people’s cycles vary a little from month to month.

What’s a normal cycle?

Your cycle runs from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. For most people it’s around 28 days, but anywhere from 21 to 35 days is normal. Periods usually last between 2 and 7 days, often about 5.

Your cycle doesn’t have to be exactly the same length every month. It’s normal for it to be a little shorter or longer from one month to the next.

Why your cycle can move

Ovulation usually happens around 10 to 16 days before your next period. So if you ovulate later than usual in a cycle, your period will usually come later too. That’s why a late period doesn’t always mean something has changed.

Pregnancy is one reason a period can be late, but stress, weight changes, too much exercise, hormonal contraception and breastfeeding can all delay it too. Our guide to other reasons your period might be late goes through each one.

Working out when your period is due

Count from the first day of your period, the first day of bleeding, to the day before your next period starts. That’s your cycle length. If your last few cycles were 26, 29 and 28 days, for example, your next period is likely to come around 26 to 29 days after your last one started.

If you track ovulation, for example with ovulation tests or by tracking your temperature, your period is usually due 10 to 16 days after you ovulate.

Period apps work the same way: they predict your next period from the dates you’ve entered. So their predictions are only as good as those dates, and they’re less accurate if your cycles vary a lot.

If you’ve just stopped hormonal contraception

Your first bleed may be a withdrawal bleed, which is lighter than a period and isn’t caused by ovulation. Start counting your cycle from your first natural period. You can still get pregnant before it arrives, so take a test if you’ve had unprotected sex.

So when is it late?

If your cycle is usually regular, your period is late once it’s later than you’d normally expect it. If your cycles are often irregular, it’s harder to say, so it helps to keep track.

The NHS says your periods are irregular if the gap between them is less than 21 days or more than 35 days.

Tracking your cycle

Note the first day of each period in a diary or an app, along with how many days it lasts, how heavy it is, and anything unusual, like pain or bleeding between periods. After a few months, you’ll know your usual cycle length and how much it varies.

That record helps you spot when something has changed, tells you when to test, and gives your GP useful information if you need to see them.

When to take a test

If you know when your period was due: from that day. You don’t need to wait until it’s a few days late.
If you want to test earlier: some early tests can be used from 5 days before your period is due (the packet may say ‘6 days before your missed period’), but they won’t pick up every pregnancy that early.
If your cycles are irregular or you’re not sure: at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex.
If it’s negative and your period still doesn’t come: test again a few days later. A negative can be wrong if there isn’t enough hCG yet. If it’s still negative and your period still hasn’t come, speak to your GP.

See how early can I take a pregnancy test?

When to see a GP

you’ve missed 3 periods in a row and you’re not pregnant
your periods have become irregular, or your normal pattern has changed
your periods last longer than 7 days, or you bleed between periods
you’ve missed a period and have other symptoms, like weight gain or loss, tiredness or hair growth on your face
your periods are irregular and you’re struggling to get pregnant

A GP will ask about your health and may arrange blood tests to find out the cause.

Questions people ask

How many days late should my period be before I test?

None. You can test from the day your period is due. Early tests can be used a few days before, but they’re more likely to miss a pregnancy.

How late can a period be without being pregnant?

There’s no set number of days. Cycles can be a little shorter or longer from month to month, and stress, weight changes and exercise can delay a period. See a GP if you’ve missed 3 periods in a row, or your periods have become irregular.

Is a 40-day cycle normal?

The NHS counts gaps of more than 35 days between periods as irregular. If your cycles are often this long, or your pattern has changed, speak to a GP.

Can ovulating late make my period late?

Yes. Your period usually comes around 10 to 16 days after you ovulate, so if you ovulate later than usual, your period will usually be later too.

When to get help

Mild cramps that ease with rest are usually nothing to worry about. But if you’re pregnant, or think you could be, get urgent advice from your maternity unit, an early pregnancy unit or NHS 111 if you have:

any bleeding or spotting, even if it’s light
tummy pain that’s severe, on one side, or hasn’t eased after resting for 30 to 60 minutes
pain in the tip of your shoulder

Call 999 if you have bleeding along with severe tummy pain, pain in your shoulder, or feeling sick, faint or dizzy, or if the bleeding is heavy (soaking a pad soon after putting it on). Also call 999 if you have sudden, sharp and intense tummy pain and you feel very dizzy or faint, feel sick or look very pale. These can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage that need treating straight away.