Sleep calculator / Kids bedtime
Kids Bedtime Calculator
Enter your child's age and the time they need to be up. Get a bedtime that fits expert sleep guidelines for their age.
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How the kids bedtime calculator works
It starts from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's recommended sleep range for your child's age group, picks a target within it, and counts back from wake-up time. It allows about 15 minutes to fall asleep. For children under 6, it subtracts the daytime nap, because naps count toward the daily total at that age.
Recommended sleep by age
| Age | Sleep per 24 hours |
|---|---|
| 1–2 years | 11–14 hours, including naps |
| 3–5 years | 10–13 hours, including naps |
| 6–12 years | 9–12 hours |
| 13–17 years | 8–10 hours |
The "ideal" bedtime the calculator shows is a starting point inside that range. Watch how your child does for a week, and move bedtime 15 minutes earlier if they're hard to wake or cranky by late afternoon.
Bedtime guides by age
- What time should a 5 year old go to bed? (ages 3–6)
- What time should a 7 year old go to bed? (ages 6–9)
- What time should a 12 year old go to bed? (ages 10–12)
- What time should a teenager go to bed? (ages 13–17)
When to talk to your pediatrician
Check in with your child's doctor if they snore loudly most nights, gasp or pause in their breathing while asleep, are very sleepy during the day despite enough time in bed, or have trouble falling or staying asleep for weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What time should a 7 year old go to bed?
For a 7:00 AM wake-up, around 8:15 PM gives about 10.5 hours of sleep, inside the 9 to 12 hours recommended for ages 6 to 12. The latest bedtime for the 9-hour minimum is about 9:45 PM.
What time should a 3 year old go to bed?
It depends on the nap. With a 1.5-hour nap and a 7:00 AM wake-up, around 8:15 PM gives an 11.5-hour daily total. Without a nap, an earlier bedtime around 6:45 PM fits better.
How much sleep does a teenager need?
Teens aged 13 to 17 need 8 to 10 hours a night, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Related reading
- What Time Should a 12-Year-Old Go to Bed? Bedtimes for Ages 10 to 12A 12-year-old needs 9 to 12 hours of sleep: for a 7 AM wake-up, bed around 8:45 PM and by 9:45 at the latest. Bedtimes for ages 10, 11 and 12.4 min read
- What Time Should a 5-Year-Old Go to Bed? Bedtimes for Ages 3 to 5A 5-year-old with no nap who wakes at 7 AM should go to bed around 7:45 PM. Bedtimes for ages 3, 4 and 5 by wake time, and how naps change them.4 min read
- What Time Should a 7-Year-Old Go to Bed? Bedtimes for Ages 6 to 9A 7-year-old who wakes at 7 AM should go to bed between about 7:45 and 8:15 PM. Bedtimes for ages 6, 7, 8 and 9 by wake-up time, plus summer tips.4 min read
More free sleep tools
All completely free, no sign-up.
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- Hours of Sleep CalculatorHow many hours of sleep you will get between bedtime and your alarm.
- Nap CalculatorWhen to set your alarm for a power nap or a full-cycle nap.
- Sleep Debt CalculatorHow much sleep you owe this week, and how to pay it back.
- Caffeine Cutoff CalculatorHow much caffeine is still in you at bedtime, and your latest cup.
- Sleep Needs by AgeRecommended hours for every age, from newborns to over-65s.
- Sleep Efficiency CalculatorWhat share of your time in bed you actually spend asleep.
- Shift Work Sleep CalculatorWhen to sleep and stop caffeine around any shift, including nights.
- Chronotype CalculatorNight owl or early bird? Find your chronotype and social jet lag.
- Daylight Saving Time Sleep PlannerA day-by-day plan to shift your sleep before the clocks change.
- Jet Lag CalculatorDays to adjust, plus a shift-before-you-fly schedule.
These results are general estimates, not medical advice. Everyone's sleep is a little different. If you're often exhausted despite enough time in bed, snore loudly, or have been told you stop breathing in your sleep, see a doctor.