According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the amount of sleep people need depends on several factors, including their age, individual requirements, and whether they have been getting adequate sleep.1
The National Sleep Foundation recommends how much sleep people should get at each age. The recommendations are based on a review of more than 300 research studies.2
| Age Group | Recommended Hours of Sleep Per Day |
|---|---|
| Newborns (0 to 3 months) |
14–17 hours (National Sleep Foundation)3 No recommendation (American Academy of Sleep Medicine)4 |
| Infants (4 to 12 months) |
12–16 hours per 24 hours (including naps)4 |
| Toddlers (1 to 2 years) |
11–14 hours per 24 hours (including naps)4 |
| Preschoolers (3 to 5 years) |
10–13 hours per 24 hours (including naps)4 |
| School Age (6 to 12 years) |
9–12 hours per 24 hours4 |
| Teen (13 to 18 years) |
8–10 hours per 24 hours4 |
| Adults (18 to 60 years) |
7 or more hours per night5 |
| Adults (61 to 64 years) |
7–9 hours3 |
| Adults (65 years and older) |
7–8 hours3 |
Although the amount of sleep you get each day is important, other aspects of your sleep also contribute to your health and well-being. Good sleep quality is also essential. Signs of poor sleep quality include not feeling rested even after getting enough sleep, repeatedly waking up during the night, and experiencing symptoms of sleep disorders (such as snoring or gasping for air). Improving sleep quality may be helped by better sleep habits or being diagnosed and treated for any sleep disorder you may have.
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