How to Tell if a Condom Is Expired & If Yours is Still Good

Download Article

Sex educator Danielle Bezalel explains the signs that a condom is expired

Co-authored by Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: October 28, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Do condoms expire?
|
• Why Condoms Expire
|
• Signs of Expiration
|
• Are expired condoms safe?
|
• Safety Advice
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve used one, or perhaps you just had a random thought, but do condoms really expire? The short answer: yes, they absolutely do. Like your favorite foods, condoms have an expiration date, and this expiration should be taken seriously. We talked to sex educator Danielle Bezalel to find out more about why and when condoms expire, so keep reading!

How do you know if a condom has expired?

Sex educator Danielle Bezalel says that condoms do expire, so check the expiration date before opening the wrapper. Additionally, a condom has likely “gone bad” if it’s dry, stiff, or sticky, has a foul odor, or the wrapper is torn or discolored.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Do condoms expire?

Download Article

1. 
   Yes, condoms expire. Bezalel says, “Condoms do expire, so it’s essential to look at the expiration date before opening the condom wrapper.” She adds that if the condom is expired, “throw it in the garbage and do not use it.”

   • Expired condoms aren’t as effective. Condoms that have expired begin to break down and won’t work as well to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or pregnancy.
   • The average condom has a 3 to 5 year shelf life, but this all depends on how it’s stored. Even if the expiration date is good, avoid using condoms that are dry, torn, or stiff.
   • Know that certain types of condoms expire faster than others. Natural latex and polyurethane condoms have the longest shelf life, while non-latex and natural condoms (lambskin and sheepskin) have the shortest shelf life.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Danielle Bezalel is a sex educator and the host of Sex Ed With DB, a sex education podcast with over 350,000 downloads. She has been featured on platforms like Netflix, Pop Sugar, and Self Magazine.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 5:

Why do condoms expire?

Download Article

1. 
   Condoms expire because the materials they’re made of start to break down. According to Bezalel, the most common causes of expiration include:

   • Material degradation: “Over time, the latex or polyurethane material in condoms can degrade, becoming less elastic and more prone to breakage,” Bezalel says.
   • Lubricant breakdown: “The lubricant in condoms can dry out or become ineffective, reducing their ability to prevent friction and tearing,” adds Bezalel.
   • Storage conditions: According to Bezalel, “Exposure to heat, humidity, and sunlight can accelerate the degradation process.”
   • Manufacturer’s warranty: “Manufacturers typically set an expiration date to ensure that condoms are used within a safe time frame,” Bezalel adds.

Section 3 of 5:

How to Tell If Condoms Are Expired

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Check the expiration date. Bezalel explains that you can tell if a condom is expired “by looking at the expiration date on the condom box or individual condom wrapper.” This expiration date looks like a food product’s “best by” label. For example, if the expiration date is 2027-11, the condom is good to use until November 2027.
2. 
   2
   Avoid using a condom if it’s dry, stiff, sticky, or discolored. Always inspect a condom before using it. Even if the expiration date is good, a condom should not be used if:

   • the condom is dry, stiff, or sticky.
   • the condom has a bad odor.
   • the wrapper is torn or discolored.
   • the wrapper or condom has tiny holes or tears.
Advertisement

Section 4 of 5:

Is using an expired condom safe?

Download Article

1. 
   Using an expired condom isn’t recommended. “It is not safe to use expired condoms,” cautions Bezalel. “It may tear, which can allow transmission of STIs and lead to unwanted pregnancy. Only use condoms that have not expired.”

   • Using an expired condom is safer than using no condom at all; however, it offers less protection than a non-expired condom.
   • Always check the expiration date and the overall appearance of your condom before usage, just to be safe.

Section 5 of 5:

Condom Safety Tips

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Store condoms in a dry, cool place away from sharp objects. Bezalel recommends storing condoms in a cool place, “like in your medicine cabinet or a toiletry bag.” The wear and tear of leaving condoms in a purse, wallet, or glove box can pay its toll over time.

   • A good place to store condoms is a bedside drawer.
   • Most condoms melt at 104 °F (40 °C), so avoid storing condoms in your car or other places with extreme heat or varied temperatures.
   • “Never open a condom with your teeth,” Bezalel cautions. “That can cause the condom to break.”
2. 
   2
   Avoid keeping condoms in your pocket, wallet, or purse. Surprisingly, these are the last places you should store a condom. Condoms can easily get punctured or torn when sliding and moving them around in a pocket, wallet, or purse.

   • Bezalel agrees, noting that “the pressure in the wallet can puncture the wrapper and cause the condom to tear.”
   • Instead, store condoms in their own bag or container to avoid friction and wear and tear.
3. 
   3
   Check condom expiration dates regularly. Stay on top of your game by checking your condom supply’s expiration date regularly and replacing as needed. This way, you won’t find yourself in a situation without a good-to-use condom.

   • Mark the expiration date on your calendar, or schedule an email to send on that day, to remind you to grab a new pack.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!