Age Calculator for School Admission
Schools decide entry by a child's age on a cutoff date. Enter the child's date of birth below, then read how to check it against your school's cutoff.
Calculate the child's age
How school-age cutoffs work
Most schools require a child to have reached a certain age by a fixed cutoff date — often the start of the school year. What matters is the child's age on that exact date, not today.
To check eligibility, calculate the child's age as of the cutoff date and compare it with the required entry age.
Worked example
A child born on 5 October 2021, checked against a 1 September 2026 cutoff, is 4 years and 10 months old on that date. If the school requires a child to be 5 by 1 September, this child would start the following year instead.
Cutoff dates vary by country
- England: the cutoff is usually 1 September, and children start Reception the September after they turn 4.
- United States: cutoffs vary widely by state, commonly between August and October.
- Always confirm the exact cutoff and required age with your local school authority.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my child is old enough for school?
Work out your child's age on the school's cutoff date, then compare it with the required entry age. Enter the date of birth above to get that age.
What is a school admission cutoff date?
It is the fixed date by which a child must have reached the required age to start a school year. A child's age is measured on that date, not on the first day of class.