How due date dating works here
This calculator supports multiple pregnancy dating methods instead of only one. It can estimate a due date from last menstrual period, conception date, ovulation date, IVF transfer, IUI date, ultrasound dating, or from a known due date reverse check.
The method matters because pregnancy age is usually counted from a dating baseline that is earlier than conception. IVF and ultrasound methods can therefore produce more direct estimates when those data points are available.
Core date rules
LMP Due Date = LMP + 280 days + cycle adjustment
Conception / Ovulation / IUI Due Date = event date + 266 days
IVF Due Date = transfer date + (266 โ embryo age) days
Ultrasound Due Date = scan date + [280 โ gestational age at scan] days
Known due date reverse mode reconstructs the implied conception date and LMP equivalent from the entered due date.
Why IVF dating is different
IVF dating uses the transfer date and embryo age rather than relying on a menstrual-cycle estimate. A 5-day embryo transfer and a 3-day embryo transfer therefore use different offsets even when the transfer dates are the same.
This makes IVF due date estimation more specific when transfer details are known.
| Method |
Main Input |
Dating Logic |
| LMP | First day of last period | Counts from menstrual baseline |
| Conception / Ovulation / IUI | Known event date | Counts forward to 266-day due date |
| IVF | Transfer date + embryo age | Adjusts for embryo age at transfer |
| Ultrasound | Scan date + gestational age | Back-calculates pregnancy dating |
Ultrasound and reverse dating
Ultrasound dating starts with gestational age on the scan date and works forward to the estimated due date. Reverse mode does the opposite by starting with an existing due date and estimating what conception date or LMP equivalent would align with that due date.
These modes are useful when cycle-based dating is uncertain or when a clinic date is already available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can different methods give different due dates?+
Because each method starts from a different kind of information. LMP, conception, IVF transfer and ultrasound dating do not all measure the same point in the process, so the resulting due dates can differ. Use the result as a planning estimate, not as clinical advice. Pregnancy timing, BMI ranges, week-specific targets, singleton or twin guidance, ultrasound dating, and individual medical history can all change the correct interpretation. Always follow your doctor, midwife, clinic, or ultrasound result when they give a different figure.
How is IVF due date calculated here?+
The calculator uses the transfer date and embryo age at transfer. A 5-day embryo and a 3-day embryo do not use the same offset, which is why embryo age is required in IVF mode. Use the result as a planning estimate, not as clinical advice. Pregnancy timing, BMI ranges, week-specific targets, singleton or twin guidance, ultrasound dating, and individual medical history can all change the correct interpretation. Always follow your doctor, midwife, clinic, or ultrasound result when they give a different figure.
What does gestational age today mean?+
It is the pregnancy age today based on the dating baseline implied by the selected method. It is shown in weeks and days, not as time since conception alone. Use the result as a planning estimate, not as clinical advice. Pregnancy timing, BMI ranges, week-specific targets, singleton or twin guidance, ultrasound dating, and individual medical history can all change the correct interpretation. Always follow your doctor, midwife, clinic, or ultrasound result when they give a different figure.
Why does LMP mode ask for cycle length?+
Because the standard LMP method assumes a 28-day cycle. If the cycle is longer or shorter, the estimate is shifted to reflect that difference. Use the result as a planning estimate, not as clinical advice. Pregnancy timing, BMI ranges, week-specific targets, singleton or twin guidance, ultrasound dating, and individual medical history can all change the correct interpretation. Always follow your doctor, midwife, clinic, or ultrasound result when they give a different figure.
Is the due date exact?+
No. It is an estimate based on the dating information provided. Birth does not always occur exactly on the calculated due date. Use the result as a planning estimate, not as clinical advice. Pregnancy timing, BMI ranges, week-specific targets, singleton or twin guidance, ultrasound dating, and individual medical history can all change the correct interpretation. Always follow your doctor, midwife, clinic, or ultrasound result when they give a different figure.