Sleep Cycle Calculator

Enter your wake-up time and get the best bedtimes for 6, 5, 4 and 3 sleep cycles (90 minutes each + 15 min to fall asleep).

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Formula

Bedtime = wake time − (cycles × 90 min) − fall-asleep time. A sleep cycle averages 90 minutes; waking between cycles feels easier than waking mid-cycle. 6 cycles ≈ 9 h, 5 ≈ 7.5 h, 4 ≈ 6 h, 3 ≈ 4.5 h

Examples

InputResult
Wake 07:00, 15 min to sleep6 cycles: 21:45 · 5: 23:15 · 4: 00:45 · 3: 02:15
Wake 06:30, 15 min6 cycles: 21:15 · 5: 22:45 · 4: 00:15 · 3: 01:45
Wake 08:00, 20 min6 cycles: 22:10 · 5: 23:40 · 4: 01:10 · 3: 02:40

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the 90-minute sleep rule work?

Sleep runs in ~90-minute cycles of light → deep → REM. Counting 90-minute blocks backwards from your wake time and adding ~15 min to fall asleep lands the alarm between cycles, when waking feels lightest.

How many cycles do I need?

Adults do best on 5–6 cycles (7.5–9 h). 4 cycles (6 h) is a short-night fallback, not a habit; 3 cycles is an emergency-only nap strategy.

What if I can't fall asleep in 15 minutes?

The 15-minute figure is an average. If you typically take 30, add it — the calculator accepts your own fall-asleep time. Lying awake past your planned bedtime? Get up, dim light, retry when drowsy.

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