Danette O'Neal, PhD

Average Sleep Recommendations
While the question seems simple, how much sleep is the right amount is complex. Your age is an important factor, but there is also individual variability. The National Sleep Foundation convened a panel of renowned experts to review medical research and determine how much sleep is ideal for people in specific age ranges.
Age 18 to 64 years: 7 to 9 hours
Age 65 and older: 7 to 8 hours
These recommendations represent averages. But the National Sleep Foundation panel also noted that the range of what might be acceptable and healthy for individuals is much broader.
So the typical recommendation of roughly 8 hours of sleep each night might not be applicable to you because of your genetic makeup. Recognizing this, the National Sleep Foundation noted a broader range of what could be optimal for different men and women.
Age 18 to 24: 6 to 11 hours
Age 25 to 64: 6 to 10 hours
Age 65 and older: 5 to 9 hours