Sperm typically survives for a short time outside the body, usually between 1 to 2 minutes, unless it's in a suitable environment. For instance, sperm that lands on skin, clothing, or in bathtubs will not survive long.
Because of this, the chances of pregnancy from sperm found in the environment or on clothing are very low, especially if some time has passed since ejaculation.
In certain conditions, such as when sperm is protected from dehydration and kept at the right temperature, it can survive anywhere from 30 minutes up to 2 hours. This can happen when sperm is collected in a test container or remains inside a condom. See can you get pregnant with a condom.
Inside the human body, sperm can survive longer. In the testes, sperm may stay for 5 to 7 days. Once inside a woman’s body, sperm can live anywhere from a few hours to 2 or 3 days. The vaginal environment is slightly more favorable, although differences in pH and mucus composition can make it less ideal.
The overall survival time also depends on sperm quality and the condition of the seminal fluid. For example, men who smoke or use drugs tend to have sperm that is less resilient, and the quality of their seminal fluid may be poorer, reducing the sperm’s ability to survive for long.
For more information, you can talk to your primary care provider, a gynecologist, or a urologist.