Negative Pregnancy Test at Night and Positive in the Morning
Got a negative pregnancy test at night but positive in the morning? Learn why this happens, when to test for accurate results, and what it means for your pregnancy.
Getting a negative pregnancy test at night followed by a positive in the morning is more common than you might think. This discrepancy is usually related to urine concentration and hCG levels, not a faulty test.
Why Results Differ by Time of Day
Your urine is most concentrated first thing in the morning after holding it overnight. This means hCG hormone is at its highest concentration in morning urine. Throughout the day, as you drink fluids, your urine becomes diluted, potentially lowering hCG concentration below the test's detection threshold.
The Science Behind It
Pregnancy tests detect hCG at specific thresholds (usually 25 mIU/mL). In early pregnancy, your hCG might be at 30 mIU/mL in concentrated morning urine but dilute to 20 mIU/mL by evening—below the detection threshold. This is why the same pregnancy can show negative at night and positive in the morning.
Best Time to Test
Always use first morning urine for the most accurate results, especially if testing early. If you must test later in the day, try to hold your urine for at least 4 hours and limit fluid intake beforehand.
Trust Your Morning Result
If your morning test is positive, you're pregnant—even if last night's test was negative. Use our AI Pregnancy Test Checker to analyze both tests and track your hCG progression through line darkness over time.
Ready to scan your pregnancy test?
Download the #1 AI Pregnancy Test Checker app and get instant, accurate results.
