Sleep & wake-up
Kids sleep calculator
Pick your child's age group and their wake time to see a suggested bedtime based on how much sleep they need.
These are typical ranges, not strict rules. Every child is different, so adjust the bedtime to how rested and settled yours seems.
How much sleep children need
Children need more sleep than adults, and the amount drops steadily as they grow. Working back from a fixed wake time is a simple way to land on a realistic bedtime. Pick the age group and the morning wake time, and this calculator suggests when lights should go out so your child gets a typical night's rest for their age.
| Age group | Typical sleep |
|---|---|
| Toddler (1-2) | about 12 hours |
| Preschool (3-5) | about 11 hours |
| School age (6-12) | about 10 hours |
| Teen (13-17) | about 9 hours |
Making bedtime work
A steady routine does more than any single bedtime. Keep the hour before bed calm, dim the lights, and put screens away so it is easier to wind down. Try to keep bedtime and wake time roughly the same on weekends, since a predictable rhythm helps children settle and wake more easily. Treat the figures here as a starting point and adjust to how rested and cheerful your child seems during the day.
Frequently asked questions
Are these sleep amounts exact?
No, they are typical ranges for each age. Children vary, so some need a little more or less. Use the suggested bedtime as a guide and adjust to how your child looks and feels by day.
What if my child won't settle at the suggested time?
Shift bedtime gradually, by about fifteen minutes every few nights, and keep the hour before bed calm and screen-free. A consistent wind-down routine usually matters more than the exact clock time.
Should weekends have the same bedtime?
Keeping bedtime and wake time close to the weekday pattern helps a lot. Big weekend shifts can act like mild jet lag and make Monday mornings harder for children and parents alike.