The Expiry Date Calculator works out exactly when a product expires. Enter the purchase or manufacturing (MFG) date, add the shelf life printed on the packaging, and the tool instantly returns the expiry, best-before, or use-by date along with how many days are left.
It's useful whenever you know how long something lasts — for example ‘18 months from manufacture’ — but not the actual calendar date it expires. Instead of counting days by hand, the calculator does the date maths for you and accounts for different month lengths and leap years.
How to calculate an expiry date
- Select the purchase or manufacturing date as the start date.
- Enter the shelf life value (for example 18) and choose the unit — days, weeks, months, or years.
- Read the calculated expiry date and the days-remaining status.
- Use the format selector to switch between ISO, US, EU, or long date formats.
What you can use the expiry calculator for
- Food and groceries — check when perishables or packaged foods go off.
- Medicines and supplements — calculate a medicine’s expiry from its manufacturing date.
- Cosmetics and skincare — track shelf life and period-after-opening.
- Warranties, coupons, documents, and subscriptions — find the last valid (validity) date.
Best before vs use by vs expiry date
These terms are related but not identical. ‘Best before’ is about quality — food is usually still safe afterwards but may lose flavour or texture. ‘Use by’ and ‘expiry date’ are about safety, especially for perishable food and medicines, and should not be exceeded. This tool can calculate any of them: just enter the shelf life that applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate an expiry date?
Take the purchase or manufacturing date and add the product’s shelf life. For example, a food item made on 1 January with a 6-month shelf life expires on 1 July. The calculator does this automatically and also counts the days remaining.
How do I find the expiry date from a manufacturing (MFG) date?
Enter the manufacturing date as the start date and the shelf life shown on the label (such as ‘24 months’). The tool adds the shelf life to the MFG date to give the expiry date.
What's the difference between 'best before' and 'expiry date'?
‘Best before’ indicates peak quality, and food is often still safe to eat afterwards. An ‘expiry’ or ‘use by’ date is about safety and should be respected. You can calculate either by entering the matching shelf life.
Is this expiry date calculator free?
Yes. It is completely free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser, so the dates you enter never leave your device.
Can I use it for medicines, food, and cosmetics?
Yes. It works for any product with a known shelf life — medicines, packaged food, cosmetics, and more. Always follow the manufacturer’s printed date when safety matters.
What is a validity date?
A validity date is the last day something remains valid, such as a coupon, document, or subscription. Enter the start date and the validity period to find when it expires.