For medical emergencies, call your local emergency number. This site does not provide medical advice.
Sleep needs change through life. See how many hours experts recommend, the signs you are not getting enough and how to sleep better.
By Editorial Team · Updated · 1 min read
This article is awaiting review by a qualified medical professional.
Quick answer
Most adults need 7 or more hours of sleep per night, usually 7 to 9. Teenagers need 8 to 10 hours and school-age children 9 to 12 hours.
Sleep is essential for memory, mood, immunity and heart health. How much you need depends mainly on your age.
According to guidance from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the CDC, per 24 hours (including naps):
| Age group | Recommended sleep |
|---|---|
| Newborns (0-3 months) | 14-17 hours |
| Infants (4-12 months) | 12-16 hours |
| Toddlers (1-2 years) | 11-14 hours |
| Preschool (3-5 years) | 10-13 hours |
| School age (6-12 years) | 9-12 hours |
| Teenagers (13-18 years) | 8-10 hours |
| Adults (18 years and over) | 7 or more hours |
Most healthy adults do best with 7 to 9 hours. Individual needs vary a little.
Talk to a doctor if you regularly struggle to fall or stay asleep, snore loudly, stop breathing during sleep, or feel exhausted despite spending enough time in bed. These can be signs of insomnia or sleep apnea, both of which are treatable.
For most adults, regularly sleeping 6 hours or less is below the recommended 7 or more hours and is linked with poorer alertness and health. Needs vary slightly between individuals, but ongoing short sleep carries higher health risks.
Sleeping in can ease some tiredness, but it does not fully undo the effects of regular sleep loss. A consistent sleep schedule is better for your health.
Keep a regular schedule, make the bedroom dark, cool and quiet, avoid caffeine late in the day and limit screens in the hour before bed.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from a doctor or other qualified health professional. See our medical disclaimer.
Health
The most common gas-producing foods, including beans, cabbage, onions and dairy, why they cause bloating, and gentler alternatives with a simple low-FODMAP overview.
Updated 2026-09-22 · 3 min read
Health
Everything about intestinal gas and bloating: what is normal, what causes it, how to get relief, medical treatments, and the warning signs that need a doctor.
Updated 2026-09-22 · 3 min read
Health
A complete guide to gastroesophageal reflux disease: what causes it, the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, treatments from lifestyle changes to surgery, and possible complications.
Updated 2026-09-22 · 3 min read