DayTally

Sleep calculator

Enter the time you need to wake up.

  • Exact calendar math · cited sources (EIA, U.S. law)
  • Updated Oct 23, 2026
  • Runs in your browser
  • Methodology
  • Instant answers. Results update as you type, with a visual breakdown.
  • Share or print. Copy a link with your numbers, or print a clean summary.
  • Sourced and private. Exact calendar math · cited sources (EIA, U.S. law). Nothing you enter leaves your device.

How it works

Sleep runs in cycles that are often approximated as about 90 minutes. This tool counts back 4, 5 or 6 cycles from your wake time and adds about 14 minutes to fall asleep. It is a rule of thumb, not medical advice. The CDC recommends that adults aged 18–60 get 7 or more hours per night.

Source for the 7+ hour guideline: CDC, "About Sleep".

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Frequently asked questions

How many hours of sleep do adults need?

The CDC recommends 7 or more hours a night for adults aged 18–60.

Why 90 minutes?

It is a common average cycle length; real cycles vary from person to person and through the night.