How Long Does an Egg Survive After Ovulation? | Fertility Explained in 3D Animation

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:00:00]After ovulation, a woman's egg survives for only about 12 to 24 hours. During this short window, the egg travels through the fallopian tube waiting for fertilization. If healthy sperm are already present, fertilization can happen quickly. But if no sperm reaches the egg in time, the egg loses viability and naturally breaks down. Since sperm can survive up to 5 days inside the female body, the fertile window actually begins before ovulation. That's why timing plays a crucial role in fertility and conception.