How to tell if a watermelon is ripe

The clearest sign of a ripe watermelon is a white or yellow belly spot where it rested on the ground.

• The belly spot where the fruit stood on the ground is white or yellow, not showing stripes through it.
• The top of the watermelon is faded, with the area between the stripes a light green.
• The rind is smooth.
• The fruit is filled out and blunt on the ends rather than pointy.
• When thumped, it sounds somewhere between a 'ping' and a 'thud.'
• The tendril near the fruit is brown and dead rather than still green.