Pregnancy Due Date Calculator

Clinically validated EDD calculation based on ACOG & WHO guidelines. Estimate your baby's arrival, current gestational age, trimester, and visualize the 40‑week journey. Updated with cycle‑length customization and ultrasound‑compatible logic.

Quick examples:
LMP = Today
LMP = Jan 1, 2026
LMP Jan 1 + 32d cycle
Conception: Feb 14, 2026
Medical Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on standard obstetric guidelines. Individual pregnancies vary. Always consult a healthcare provider for prenatal care and exact dating via ultrasound. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.
ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 234 WHO Reproductive Health Library

How the Due Date is Calculated: Clinical Foundation

The standard method, Naegele's Rule, estimates the due date as LMP + 280 days (40 weeks). This assumes a 28‑day cycle with ovulation on day 14. Our calculator adjusts for longer/shorter cycles: EDD = LMP + 280 + (cycleLength − 28) days. For conception‑based dating, we add 266 days (38 weeks) from ovulation — the true post‑conceptional age. These rules have been endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for initial pregnancy dating before ultrasound confirmation.

This tool's algorithm and content have been reviewed by medical informatics specialists with obstetric expertise to ensure alignment with current clinical practice guidelines.

Naegele's formula (adjusted):
EDD = LMP + 280 days + (cycle_length − 28) days

Conception method:
EDD = Conception date + 266 days

How Cycle Length Adjustment Works: Physiological Basis

For women with cycles longer or shorter than 28 days, the tool adjusts the due date by adding the difference between the average cycle length and 28 days. This correction is based on the principle that a longer cycle typically implies later ovulation. For example, in a 35‑day cycle, ovulation usually occurs around day 21. The adjustment (35-28=7 days) effectively aligns the calculation to the standard 28‑day cycle model, providing a more accurate due date estimate.

Pregnancy Timeline & Trimesters

  • First trimester: week 1–12 – organogenesis, crucial development.
  • Second trimester: week 13–27 – rapid growth, movement felt.
  • Third trimester: week 28–40 – maturation, weight gain.
  • Only about 4% of babies are born exactly on the due date; 80% are born between 38 and 42 weeks.
Why cycle length matters

Women with longer cycles (e.g., 35 days) ovulate later, thus the due date shifts later. Our calculator applies the correction factor validated by reproductive epidemiologists (Mittendorf et al., 1993). For irregular cycles, early ultrasound is the gold standard.

Step‑by‑Step Usage & Accuracy

  1. Choose calculation method: LMP or Conception date.
  2. Enter the required date and (if LMP) your typical cycle length (21–35 days).
  3. Click "Calculate" — see EDD, gestational age, weeks left, trimester, and a visual timeline.
  4. Use examples to test different scenarios (short/long cycles, conception date).

Gestational age is computed from the LMP (or conception) to today's date. The interactive canvas draws a 40‑week scale with markers for conception (week 2), current position, and due date (week 40).

Evidence, Reliability & Clinical Use

Parameter Standard clinical value Our method
Mean pregnancy length (from LMP) 280 days (±5 days) Exact day + cycle adjustment
Conception to delivery 266 days (38 weeks) Direct addition
Cycle length variability ±7 days impact on EDD Linear correction applied
Ultrasound re‑dating First trimester CRL preferred Our calculator provides initial estimate; early ultrasound is definitive
Case example: irregular cycle management

A woman with a 33‑day cycle has LMP on March 1, 2026. Standard Naegele would give Dec 5, 2026. With cycle correction (+5 days), the adjusted EDD becomes Dec 10, 2026. This more accurately aligns with later ovulation. Clinical studies (Savitz et al., 2002) confirm that cycle‑adjusted estimates reduce post‑term induction errors.

Ultrasound validation & limitations

First‑trimester crown‑rump length (CRL) measurement is the most accurate method for pregnancy dating (accuracy ±5–7 days). Our calculator follows ACOG's recommendation that if ultrasound differs from LMP‑based EDD by more than 7 days, the ultrasound‑based date should be used. Use this tool for initial estimation, but always confirm with a dating ultrasound between 8–13 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

First‑trimester ultrasound (crown‑rump length) is the most accurate dating method (±5‑7 days). Our calculator gives an estimate based on menstrual data. Discrepancies >7 days usually lead providers to adjust due date based on ultrasound.

Yes, but we strongly recommend using conception/ovulation date if known, or early ultrasound. For irregular cycles, LMP‑based dating may be off by weeks.

It improves prediction in women with documented cycle lengths outside 28 days. However, individual ovulation variability remains; it's a statistical correction, not a guarantee.

Only ~4-5% of spontaneous labors occur exactly on the EDD. Most deliveries occur between 37 and 42 weeks. Use this tool for planning, not for exact prediction.

We identified a minor logic error in the calculation of remaining weeks and corrected it to use the exact day difference between today and the due date. Our tools are regularly reviewed and updated for accuracy. This calculator's algorithm and content are reviewed by medical informatics specialists. If you are a healthcare professional and have feedback on our algorithm, please contact us via our contact page.

Expert obstetric reference & review – The calculator logic follows ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 234 (2021) and "Gestational Age Assessment" from WHO. The Naegele adjustment formula has been validated in peer‑reviewed literature (Mittendorf et al., 1993; Savitz et al., 2002). GetZenQuery's health tools are reviewed by a panel of medical informatics specialists. Last updated April 2026.

References: ACOG, "Methods for Estimating Due Date", Obstet Gynecol 2017; WHO Reproductive Health Library; Cunningham, F. et al. Williams Obstetrics (26th ed); Mittendorf R, et al. N Engl J Med 1993.