How soon can you take a clearblue pregnancy test

What is the Clearblue Digital Early Detection Pregnancy Test?

The Clearblue Digital Early Detection Pregnancy Test is a pregnancy test which can give you accurate results as early as 5 days before your missed period! If you think you may be pregnant and can’t wait to find out for sure, this pregnancy test will give you the answers you’re looking for in clear words, showing the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant” on the screen when it’s done. As well as that, the unique smart countdown will show on the digital screen as you wait for your results, so you’ll know exactly when your test is done.

When should I use these pregnancy tests?

This Clearblue Pregnancy Test can tell you whether you’re pregnant up to 5 days before your missed period, which is 4 days before the day your period is due to start. For best results, track your monthly cycles as you are trying to conceive, so you’ll know when you’re ready to take your test.

What time of day is best to take a pregnancy test?

If you decide to test in the days before your missed period, you should make sure to use your first urine of the day for most accurate results. If you’re testing from the day of your expected period, you can test at any time of the day with accurate results. However, be sure that you don’t drink a lot of water or other fluid before you take the test.

Why would I need a pack of 2 pregnancy tests?

Some women choose to use two pregnancy tests to confirm their results so they can be absolutely sure that they are or are not pregnant. For example, although these Clearblue Digital Early Detection Pregnancy Tests can show that you are pregnant up to 5 days before your missed period, the tests are over 99% accurate if you test from the day of your expected period. This is why some women choose to test earlier in the 5-day window and then confirm their results on the first day of their expected period. Remember to always speak to your doctor if you’re unsure about the results of your pregnancy tests.

How do pregnancy tests work?

Pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of a hormone which increases rapidly during early pregnancy. This hormone is called hCG, and your Clearblue pregnancy test can detect even tiny amounts of this hormone in your urine. This is what makes it possible to test for pregnancy so early in your cycle.

How to take your Clearblue Digital Early Detection Pregnancy Test

When it’s time to take your test, start by removing the test from its foil wrapper and removing the blue cap, exposing the absorbent tip. There are two ways to take your Clearblue Pregnancy Test, and both will provide you accurate results. You can choose to hold the test in your urine stream, or test using a urine sample:

  • To test in your urine stream, simply place the absorbent tip of the pregnancy test directly into your urine stream for 5 seconds. Take care not to get the rest of the testing stick wet and keep the absorbent tip pointing downward.
  • To test in a urine sample, first collect your urine in a clean, dry container. Then, hold the absorbent tip of your pregnancy test in the urine sample for 20 seconds, keeping the tip pointing downward.

Once you have taken the test, replace the cap and lay the test stick flat as you wait for around 3 minutes for your results. The countdown on the digital screen will show you when your results are ready to read.

How to read your pregnancy test results

Once your test is done, the digital countdown will disappear and your results will be shown clearly on the screen. If you’re pregnant, you’ll see the word “pregnant” on the digital screen, and if you are not pregnant you will see the words “not pregnant”.

How accurate are Clearblue pregnancy tests?

You can take this Clearblue Early Detection Pregnancy Test as early as 4 days before your expected period, but this will affect how accurate your test will be. This test is over 99% accurate if taken from the first day of your expected period, but is less effective in the days before. Clinical testing showed that the percentage of pregnant women who showed a positive pregnancy test result on the days leading up to their expected period were as follows:

  • One day before your expected period – 95%
  • Two days before your expected period – 90%
  • Three days before your expected period – 82%
  • Four days before your expected period – 51%

If you have missed a period and recently had unprotected sex, you may be pregnant. Pregnancy tests are most reliable from the first day of your missed period.

When you can do a pregnancy test

You can carry out most pregnancy tests from the first day of a missed period. If you don't know when your next period is due, do the test at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex.

Some very sensitive pregnancy tests can be used even before you miss a period.

You can do a pregnancy test on a sample of urine collected at any time of the day. It doesn't have to be in the morning.

Where you can get a pregnancy test

You can buy pregnancy testing kits from pharmacists and some supermarkets. They can give a quick result and you can do the test in private.

The following places provide free pregnancy tests:

  • sexual health services
  • some young people's services – call the national sexual health helpline on 0300 123 7123 for details
  • Brook centres for under-25s – find your nearest Brook centre

You may also be able to get a pregnancy test free of charge from your GP.

How does a pregnancy test work?

All pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which starts to be produced around 6 days after fertilisation.

Most pregnancy tests come in a box that contains 1 or 2 long sticks. You pee on the stick and the result appears on the stick after a few minutes. All tests are slightly different, so always check the instructions.

Pregnancy test results

Home pregnancy tests are accurate as long as you follow the instructions correctly.

A positive test result is almost certainly correct. However, a negative test result is less reliable.

The result may not be reliable if you:

  • do not follow the instructions properly
  • take the test too early

Some medicines can also affect the results.

If you get a negative result and still think you're pregnant, wait a few days and try again. Speak to your GP if you get a negative result after a second test but your period has not arrived.

Continuing with the pregnancy

If you're pregnant and want to continue with the pregnancy, contact your GP or a midwife to start your antenatal care. You can use the pregnancy due date calculator to work out when your baby is due.

If you're not sure you want to be pregnant

If you're not sure about continuing with the pregnancy, you can discuss this confidentially with a healthcare professional. Your options are:

  • continuing with the pregnancy and keeping the baby
  • having an abortion
  • continuing with the pregnancy and having the baby adopted

As well as a GP or a nurse at your GP surgery, you can also get accurate, confidential information – from the age of 13 – from the following:

  • sexual health services
  • the MSI Reproductive Choices website
  • the British Pregnancy Advisory service website
  • the National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory service website

All these services – including community contraceptive clinics – are confidential. If you're 13 or older, the staff won't tell your parents. They'll encourage you to talk to your parents, but they won't force you. 

If you're under 25 and would prefer advice specifically for young people, the sexual health charity Brook provides a range of services for young people. The Brook website contains information on pregnancy choices. You can also use the Ask Brook 24/7 service.

Video: Is the pregnancy test accurate?

In this video, a midwife explains when you can take a pregnancy test and how to do it properly.

Media last reviewed: 5 February 2020
Media review due: 5 February 2023