2026-08-03 · 5 min read
How much sleep do you actually need?
The right amount of sleep changes with age and is about more than a number. Here is what the range means and how to tell if you are getting enough.
Sleep needs are not one-size-fits-all, but the ranges are fairly well understood. Most adults need about seven to nine hours a night, teenagers around eight to ten, and younger children more again.
The ranges
- Adults: about 7–9 hours
- Teenagers (14–17): 8–10 hours
- School-age children (6–13): 9–11 hours
- Preschool (3–5): 10–13 hours
Quality matters as much as quantity
Seven hours of broken, restless sleep is not the same as seven hours of solid sleep. If you wake without an alarm and feel rested more than once, you are probably near your right number.
If you are short on rest, the checklist pages can help you remove the habits getting in the way.