Total Sleep Time
Total hours of actual sleep per night
Sleep DurationCategory
7-9 hours (adults), 7-8 hours (older adults)Reference
7-9 hours per nightSourced reference
Why Total Sleep Time matters
Insufficient sleep increases mortality, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease risk. Most adults need 7-9 hours.
Reference Range
7-9 hours (adults), 7-8 hours (older adults)
Sourced reference
7-9 hours per night
Targets by source
Each position below is attributed and linked to the document that states it. Several are population percentiles or averages rather than targets; the note says which. How we verify ranges.
- 7-9 hours (adults); 7-8 hours (older adults)National Sleep Foundation expert panel (Hirshkowitz 2015, Sleep Health)For healthy people without a sleep disorder.
Devices that measure this
Devices in our comparisons whose published specs list this metric:
Track Your Sleep Duration
Monitor Total Sleep Time with wearables and health tracking devices
Health Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized health recommendations.
Last reviewed Sep 23, 2026 · First published Oct 1, 2025