What emergency contraception costs if you have no insurance

What the morning-after pill costs

KFF is a nonprofit that studies health policy. In a January 2025 brief on emergency contraception, KFF says name-brand pills and generic versions can range from $10 to $50 over the counter. Without insurance, most people pay the store's retail price.

The federal government also tracks what pharmacies pay. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a federal health agency, runs a national drug cost survey called NADAC. It does not list counter prices, but it shows what the cost of the pill is to the store. The figures below are for the week of October 21, 2026.

The survey lists several generic versions of the one-tablet pill, which has 1.5 mg of a hormone called levonorgestrel. Every one of them has the same price, which is about $6.41 for each tablet. The rows we found were all generic versions, so we cannot show you a brand-name price.

The price at the counter is higher than the survey price, because the store has its own costs to cover. How much higher it is varies from one store to the next. A store may carry more than one version, so it helps to compare the price of each one on the shelf.

No prescription or age limit is needed

You do not need a prescription, and there is no age limit. The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, says you can buy levonorgestrel emergency contraception over the counter, which means without a prescription. The FDA also says it approved this pill for nonprescription use without age restrictions on June 20, 2013.

A second kind of morning-after pill is made with a medicine called ulipristal acetate. The FDA says you need a prescription from a health care provider for that one. The same survey lists the brand-name version of it at about $37.08 per tablet. That is the price pharmacies pay, and the price you are charged will be higher.

Timing matters with this pill

The FDA says the most important thing is how quickly you take it after unprotected sex or after a birth control method fails. The FDA tells people to take the levonorgestrel pill as soon as possible within 72 hours, which is 3 days. The package label says the same thing, and it adds that the sooner you take it, the better it works.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, says some emergency contraceptive pills can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. It also says the sooner the pills are taken, the better they will work. If you are past 72 hours, ask a pharmacist or a clinic what is still available to you.

There are a few other facts on the label that you may want to know. The pill will not work if you are already pregnant, and it does not protect you from HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. It is also not meant to be used as regular birth control. The label also says to call a health care professional if you vomit within 2 hours of taking it. That person can tell you whether you should repeat the dose.

Brand name and store brand versions

According to the FDA, a generic medicine has the same active ingredient as the brand-name drug, and generics tend to cost less. A store-brand box is usually one of these generic versions. Look at the Drug Facts label on the back of the box to see the active ingredient. The label should list levonorgestrel 1.5 mg.

KFF's range of $10 to $50 covers both kinds, so a store-brand box is often at the lower end. Prices change from store to store and from week to week. You can ask the pharmacist for the cash price of each box on the shelf. Our guide on asking for the cash price explains what to say.

Some people also like to buy a box in advance and keep it at home. The FDA also suggests talking with your health care provider about emergency contraception before you need it. A provider can answer your questions then, when you are not in a hurry.

Where to find it for less money

Title X is a federal family planning program, and its clinics charge by income. KFF says that people without insurance may be able to get free or low-cost emergency contraception at a Title X clinic. Some clinics have cut services because of changes in federal funding in 2025 and 2026, so call first and ask whether the clinic offers it. Our guide on birth control without insurance explains the fee rules for family planning clinics.

A local health department may run a family planning clinic too. A community health center is another choice, and it also sets fees by income. Our guides on community health centers and sliding scale clinics explain how to find one.

If you want a daily method instead, read about the birth control pill sold without a prescription.

The copper IUD is another emergency option

The CDC says a copper IUD can be inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex. An IUD is a small device that a health care provider places in the uterus, the organ where a baby grows. It costs more up front than a pill does, and it takes an appointment. Many people keep an IUD in place for years as regular birth control.

To see what drives that price, read our guide on IUD costs without insurance. Because the time window is short, call a clinic or a cash-pay doctor near you right away if you want to ask about it.

When to get medical care right away

This page gives general information and is not medical advice. A pharmacist, nurse or doctor can answer questions about your own situation. MedlinePlus is a health site from the National Library of Medicine. It says to call your doctor right away about severe pain in the lower belly 3 to 5 weeks after taking the pill. It also says to call your doctor if your next period is over a week late.

In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

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