What to do with the number
- Plan backwards from your wake time: subtract the lower number of hours and 15 minutes to fall asleep.
- For children, the range includes naps. A child who naps can sleep less at night.
- If you need far more than the range to function, mention it to a doctor.
Common questions
How much sleep do teenagers need?
8 to 10 hours a night for ages 13 to 17, according to the CDC.
Do older adults need less sleep?
Slightly: 7 to 8 hours from age 65. Sleep often gets lighter, so the time in bed can be longer than the sleep you get.
One thing this cannot do
These are population recommendations, not a diagnosis. Some people do well at the edges of the range.
Sources: CDC, About Sleep.General information, not medical advice.