When Can You Find Out the Baby’s Sex?
Updated September 2025 · 5 min read
You can usually find out your baby’s sex at the mid-pregnancy anatomy scan, around 18–22 weeks, if you choose to. A non-invasive prenatal blood test (NIPT), available from around 10 weeks, can also indicate sex as part of screening. Some parents prefer to wait and find out at birth — there’s no medical need to know beforehand.
- The 18–22 week anatomy scan can usually reveal the sex, if you want to know.
- A NIPT blood test from around 10 weeks can also indicate sex.
- Accuracy is high but not absolute, especially very early or if baby isn’t well positioned.
- There’s no medical need to find out — waiting until birth is equally fine.
The mid-pregnancy scan (around 18–22 weeks)
The most common moment to find out is the mid-pregnancy anatomy scan, usually offered around 18–22 weeks. This scan’s main purpose is to check your baby’s development, but the sonographer can often see the baby’s genitals and tell you the sex if you ask. Bear in mind some clinics have policies about sharing it, and if your baby is lying awkwardly, they may not be able to see clearly.
NIPT blood test (from around 10 weeks)
A non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) analyses fragments of the baby’s DNA in a sample of the pregnant parent’s blood. It’s primarily a screening test for certain chromosomal conditions, but it can also indicate the baby’s sex from around 10 weeks. Availability and cost vary depending on where you are and whether it’s offered through your health system or privately.
Other routes
- IVF with genetic testing (PGT): the sex may already be known before the embryo is transferred.
- Diagnostic tests like amniocentesis or CVS reveal sex, but these are done for medical reasons, not to find out the sex.
How accurate is it?
Ultrasound and NIPT are both highly accurate for sex, but not 100% — very early scans, a shy baby, or an unclear image can lead to the occasional surprise at birth. Take early guesses with a pinch of salt.
Or wait for the surprise
There’s no medical reason to find out your baby’s sex before birth — plenty of parents choose to wait, or to keep it a surprise until the “sex reveal” moment of the birth itself. It’s entirely your choice.
Frequently asked questions
When can you find out the sex of your baby?
Usually at the mid-pregnancy anatomy scan, around 18u201322 weeks. A NIPT blood test from around 10 weeks can also indicate the sex as part of screening.
Can you find out the babyu2019s sex at 12 weeks?
A NIPT blood test (from around 10 weeks) can indicate sex earlier than the anatomy scan. A standard 12-week scan isnu2019t a reliable way to determine sex.
How accurate is the gender scan?
Very accurate but not guaranteed u2014 an awkwardly positioned baby or an unclear image can occasionally lead to a surprise at birth.
Sources
This article is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy care is personal — always follow the guidance of your own midwife, obstetrician or GP, and contact them promptly about any symptoms or concerns. Guidance reflects widely published advice from bodies such as the NHS and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).