Exhibit 5.1
 
                         [PERKINS COIE LLP LETTERHEAD]


                                March 10, 1999


Egghead.com, Inc.
521 S.E. Chkalov Drive
Vancouver, WA  98683

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to you in connection with the proceedings for the
authorization and issuance by Egghead.com, Inc. (the "Company") of up to
5,000,000 shares (the "Company Shares") of the Company's common stock, $.01
par value per share (the "Common Stock"), and the sale by certain of the
Company's shareholders (the "Selling Shareholders") of up to 30,000 shares
of Common Stock (the "Selling Shareholder Shares") together with up to an
additional 750,000 shares of Common Stock if and to the extent the underwriters
exercise an over-allotment option granted by the Company (the "Over-Allotment
Shares"), and the preparation and filing of a registration statement on Form S-3
(the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), which you are filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission with respect to the Company Shares, the Selling Shareholder Shares
and the Over-Allotment Shares (collectively, the "Shares").

     We have examined the Registration Statement and such documents and records
of the Company and other documents as we have deemed necessary for the purpose
of this opinion. Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that upon the
happening of the following events:

a)  the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto,

b)  due action by the Selling Shareholders authorizing the sale of the Selling 
    Shareholder Shares;

c)  due execution by the Company and registration by its registrar of the
    Shares,

d)  the offering and sale of the Shares as contemplated by the Registration
    Statement and in accordance with the resolutions of the Board of Directors
    of the Company authorizing the sale and issuance of the Company Shares and
    the aforesaid shareholder authorization, and

e)  receipt by the Company and the Selling Shareholders of the consideration
    required for the Shares as contemplated by the Registration Statement,

 
the Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, including any and all post-
effective amendments and any registration statement relating to the same
offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act, and to the reference to our firm in the Prospectus of the
Registration Statement under the heading "Legal Matters." In giving such
consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose
consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            /s/ PERKINS COIE LLP