How does the tool decide a default expiry date?

It matches the item name against a built-in shelf-life table for the chosen storage location (Pantry, Fridge, or Freezer) using values inspired by the USDA FoodKeeper App. If there is no match, you must enter the date yourself.

Should I trust the auto-guessed dates?

Treat them as a sensible default for unopened or properly-stored items. Use the actual printed best-before or use-by date when possible, and always sense-check food before eating — appearance, smell, and texture trump any date.

What do the colours mean?

Red = expired (today is on or past the expiry date), amber = use soon (3 days or fewer remaining), plain text = fresh. The list is sorted soonest-first.

Where is my data saved?

In this browser's localStorage under "toolnest:food-expiration-tracker". Items, expiry dates, used flags, and storage choices all persist between sessions on this device — and nowhere else.

How do I remove items I have eaten?

Tick the "Used?" checkbox on the row; the item stays in the table but drops out of the active expiration summary. Or press × to delete the row entirely.

Food Expiration Tracker

Track food expiry dates, auto-guess shelf life, and see what to use soon.

Written by Golam Rabbani, Founder & Lead Engineer

This interactive tool requires JavaScript. Read the formula and worked example below; you can compute the result by hand.

How to use this food expiration tracker

Type an item name, pick its storage location (Pantry, Fridge, or Freezer), and a quantity.
Set an expiry date if you know it — otherwise leave it blank and the tool will guess from a built-in shelf-life table.
Press Add item, then repeat for everything in your fridge, pantry, and freezer.
Press Check expirations to see items sorted by days remaining, with colour-coded expired and use-soon flags.
Tick "Used?" on items you have eaten so they drop out of the summary; press Copy to share the list.

About this food expiration tracker

The food expiration tracker helps reduce waste by surfacing what you need to eat soon. You add items with a storage location and either a known expiry date or a blank that triggers a shelf-life guess. The guess table covers common items — milk, eggs, chicken, bread, lettuce, leftovers, rice — and uses conservative defaults inspired by the USDA FoodKeeper App: milk 7 days in the fridge, eggs 4 weeks, leftovers 4 days, raw chicken 2 days, dry rice 1 year in the pantry, and so on.

When you press Check expirations the tool computes days remaining for every unused item, sorts them ascending, and tags each one expired (days ≤ −1), use soon (days ≤ 3), or fresh. The list and the used-flags are saved in your browser's localStorage under "toolnest:food-expiration-tracker" so progress survives reloads. Always trust your senses — a date is just a hint; throw out anything that looks, smells, or feels off.

For example, on May 27 add Milk (Fridge, no date — guessed expiry June 3), Chicken breast (Fridge, expiry May 29), Sourdough (Pantry, expiry June 1), Lettuce (Fridge, no date — guessed June 3). The result panel lists Chicken breast (2 days left, use soon), Sourdough (5 days left, fresh), Lettuce and Milk tied at 7 days left, all fresh. Tomorrow chicken will flip into "use soon" and after May 29 into expired.

FAQ

How does the tool decide a default expiry date?: It matches the item name against a built-in shelf-life table for the chosen storage location (Pantry, Fridge, or Freezer) using values inspired by the USDA FoodKeeper App. If there is no match, you must enter the date yourself.
Should I trust the auto-guessed dates?: Treat them as a sensible default for unopened or properly-stored items. Use the actual printed best-before or use-by date when possible, and always sense-check food before eating — appearance, smell, and texture trump any date.
What do the colours mean?: Red = expired (today is on or past the expiry date), amber = use soon (3 days or fewer remaining), plain text = fresh. The list is sorted soonest-first.
Where is my data saved?: In this browser's localStorage under "toolnest:food-expiration-tracker". Items, expiry dates, used flags, and storage choices all persist between sessions on this device — and nowhere else.
How do I remove items I have eaten?: Tick the "Used?" checkbox on the row; the item stays in the table but drops out of the active expiration summary. Or press × to delete the row entirely.