Food Shelf Life Calculator
How long it lasts everywhere
How to check a food's shelf life
- 1Type the food you want to check — we match it to the closest food we know.
- 2Choose whether it's in the pantry, fridge or freezer.
- 3Read off the typical shelf life and the estimated expiry date if stored today.
- 4Compare all three locations below to see where it keeps longest.
How long does food really last?
“Is this still good?” is one of the most common kitchen questions — and the honest answer is almost always “it depends on where you kept it.” A carton of milk lasts about a week in the fridge but months in the freezer. Bread goes stale on the counter in days yet keeps for weeks frozen.
This calculator gives you a realistic starting point for hundreds of everyday foods across the pantry, fridge and freezer. Not sure where something belongs in the first place? Try the Where to Store Food tool. Building a freezer stash? The Freezer Storage Time Chart lays it all out.
Track it instead of looking it up
Checking one food at a time is handy, but the real win is never having to check at all. PantryKit keeps a running list of everything you own, estimates each item's expiry date automatically, and reminds you before anything is about to turn — so food gets eaten, not binned.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate are these shelf-life estimates?
They're solid rules of thumb based on typical storage conditions, and they match what the PantryKit app uses. Real shelf life depends on temperature, packaging and how fresh the food was to begin with, so always use your senses — look, smell and check before eating.
Does the storage location really matter that much?
Enormously. The same food can last a few days in the pantry, a couple of weeks in the fridge, and several months in the freezer. That's why the tool asks where it's stored.
Why does it say 'not ideal here' for some foods?
Some foods don't belong in every location — potatoes go sad in the fridge, and lettuce turns to mush in the freezer. When a spot isn't recommended, try one of the others.
What if my exact food isn't recognised?
You'll still get a general estimate based on the closest match or a sensible default. For the most accurate tracking, the app lets you set your own date on any item.
Related tools
Where to Store Food
Not sure where a food belongs? See how long it lasts in the pantry, fridge and freezer, and where it keeps longest.
StorageFreezer Storage Time Chart
How long does food keep in the freezer? A quick chart of freezer storage times for meat, produce, bread, leftovers and more.
FreezingCan You Freeze It?
Check whether a food freezes well and how long it keeps frozen. Type a food and get an instant answer plus a storage time.
FreezingStop throwing away food and money
PantryKit tracks what's in your pantry, fridge and freezer and warns you before it expires - so you waste less and save more, automatically.
Free to start · iPhone · Works fully offline