Your coronavirus test result

This information is about the swab test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19).

Getting your test result

You'll get a text or email with your result when it's ready. If you use the NHS COVID-19 app, you may also get your result in the app.

Most people get their result the next day, but it may take up to 3 days.

If you do not get your result within 5 days, call the coronavirus testing contact centre on 119 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or 0300 303 2713 (Scotland). The contact centre is open from 7am to 11pm.

There are 3 types of result you can get:

• negative
• positive
• unclear, void, borderline or inconclusive

Negative test result

A negative result means the test did not find coronavirus.

You do not need to self-isolate if your test is negative, as long as:

• everyone you live with who has symptoms tests negative
• everyone in your support bubble who has symptoms tests negative
• you were not told to self-isolate for 14 days by NHS Test and Trace – if you were, see what to do if you've been told you've been in contact with someone who has coronavirus
• you feel well – if you feel unwell, stay at home until you’re feeling better

If you have diarrhoea or you’re being sick, stay at home until 48 hours after they've stopped.

Positive test result

A positive result means you had coronavirus when the test was done.

If your test is positive, you must self-isolate immediately.

• If you had a test because you had symptoms, keep self-isolating for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• If you had a test but have not had symptoms, self-isolate for 10 days from when you had the test.

Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must self-isolate for 14 days from when you start self-isolating.

Read more about how long to self-isolate.

Unclear, void, borderline or inconclusive test result

An unclear, void, borderline or inconclusive result means it's not possible to say if you had coronavirus when the test was done.

Get another test as soon as possible if this happens. You can get a test to check for coronavirus on GOV.UK.

If you had a test because you had symptoms, you must keep self-isolating and have another test:

• within 8 days of your symptoms starting (England)
• within 5 days of your symptoms starting (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

If you're not able to have another test in time, you must self-isolate for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started. Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must self-isolate for 14 days. Read more about how long to self-isolate.

If you had a test but have not had any symptoms, you do not need to self-isolate while you wait to get another test. People you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, do not need to self-isolate.