How Much Sleep Do I Need?

There is no “one size fits all” sleep guideline. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) has defined ranges that are adequate for most people (see chart below). However, the best indicator of how much sleep you need is your daytime energy and alertness. If you are meeting the NSF guideline, but you need caffeine to get through your day and are falling asleep at the wheel, you may need more quality sleep.

For most adults, seven to nine hours is a good amount of sleep. Older adults may not need as much and children need much more.

Sleep Length Guidelines