Sleep
How Much Sleep Do Adults Need?
Sleep guidelines from the AASM and NHS, plus how to tell if you're getting enough.
6 min read·Updated 25 June 2026
HG
HealthGood Editorial Team
Last updated 25 June 2026
Reviewed by HealthGood Editorial Standards Board
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the NHS both recommend 7–9 hours of sleep per night for most healthy adults aged 18–64.
How to tell if you're getting enough
- You wake without an alarm most days.
- You feel alert without needing caffeine to function.
- Your weekend sleep length isn't dramatically longer than your weekday sleep.
Frequently asked questions
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References
- World Health Organization — Body mass index (BMI). https://www.who.int
- NHS — Healthy weight and BMI. https://www.nhs.uk
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity. https://www.cdc.gov
- Mifflin MD, St Jeor ST, et al. A new predictive equation for resting energy expenditure. Am J Clin Nutr (1990).