Sleep needs by age
Choose an age group for a general recommendation. Sleep needs vary, and this educational tool does not assess symptoms, measure sleep quality, or diagnose a sleep problem.
Quick answer
Most healthy adults need at least 7 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. Children and teens usually need more: newborns need 14–17 hours, school-age children 9–12 hours, and teens 8–10 hours. These ranges are general starting points; sleep quality, consistency, health, and individual needs still matter.
General recommendation
For ages 18–60 years
7 hours–9 hours per 24 hoursHealthy adults should regularly get at least 7 hours; individual needs vary.The table uses the SleepPrism sleep-needs dataset, currently based on CDC public-health guidance and the AASM/Sleep Research Society adult consensus statement. For infants and younger children, daily totals may include naps.
| Age group | Recommended sleep | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 months | 14 hours–17 hours per 24 hours | |
| 4–12 months | 12 hours–16 hours per 24 hours | Includes naps. |
| 1–2 years | 11 hours–14 hours per 24 hours | Includes naps. |
| 3–5 years | 10 hours–13 hours per 24 hours | Includes naps. |
| 6–12 years | 9 hours–12 hours per 24 hours | |
| 13–17 years | 8 hours–10 hours per 24 hours | |
| 18–60 years | 7 hours–9 hours per 24 hours | At least 7 hours is the adult public-health minimum; 7–9 hours is shown as a practical planning window. |
| 61–64 years | 7 hours–9 hours per 24 hours | |
| 65+ years | 7 hours–8 hours per 24 hours |
Use the recommendation as a planning range, not a personal score. A person may need more or less sleep than another person in the same age group, and sleep quality matters as much as the number of hours.
For children, the total sleep time can include naps when the source range says so. For adults, SleepPrism shows 7–9 hours as a practical planning window while preserving the CDC/AASM minimum of 7 or more hours for regular sleep.
If you regularly cannot sleep, feel excessively sleepy during the day, snore loudly, stop breathing during sleep, or have concerns about a child's sleep, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
SleepPrism is educational and does not provide a diagnosis, treatment plan, or personalized medical recommendation.
For adults, 7 hours is the regular minimum used in public-health guidance. Some adults feel and function better closer to 8 or 9 hours, and quality matters as well as duration.
Generally, yes. Recommended sleep duration is higher for babies, children, and teenagers because sleep needs change across development. For younger children, the daily total may include naps.
Count naps when the age-group recommendation is written as a 24-hour total that includes naps. SleepPrism marks those age groups in the table and selector.
Individual needs vary, and one unusual night is not enough to judge a pattern. If you regularly need much more sleep, feel excessively sleepy, or cannot function normally, consider asking a qualified healthcare professional.
No. This page only shows general sleep-duration guidance by age. It does not evaluate symptoms, diagnose sleep disorders, or replace care from a qualified professional.
SleepPrism uses primary public-health and professional medical sources for sleep-duration guidance. Material health statements still require independent clinical review before being described as clinically reviewed.