How many hours did you sleep last night? What about the night before? How much sleep do you need? Maintaining a regular sleep schedule may not be a priority for you, but good sleep is important for health.

You may not realize it, but the amount of sleep can affect everything from weight and metabolism to brain function and condition. The time you go to bed varies depending on social life, work hours, family obligations, the latest Netflix show, or just when you start to feel tired.

Some general sleep guidelines for different age groups:

Newborns - 3 months: 14 to 17 hours
4 to 11 months: 12 to 16 hours
1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours
3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours
6 to 12 years : 9 to 12 hours
13 to 18 years: 8 to 10 hours
18 to 64 years: 7 to 9 hours
65 years and older: 7 to 8 hours

Our sleep needs are different, even within the same age group. Some people may need at least 9 hours of sleep to feel good, while others in the same age group may sleep 7 hours or less.

Here are some things to keep in mind when assessing your sleep needs:

- Do you feel well after 7 hours of sleep, or do you need at least 8 or 9?
- Do you have drowsiness during the day?
- Do you need caffeine to not be drowsy?

Sleep calculator

Sleep time is based on:
- Awakening time
- Completion of five or six sleep cycles
- 15 minutes before you fall asleep

Find a sleep calculator below. In the first column is marked the time of waking up in the morning, in the second is set the time when you should sleep in the evening if you need 7 hours and a little sleep, while in the third column the time when you should sleep if you need 9 hours of sleep .

Of course the schedule can change as it simply serves as a general guide.

Burimet: American Academy of Pediatrics, Healthline