Kindergarten age calculator
Select your country and state, then enter your child's birth date to see whether they qualify for kindergarten this year or next — and get their complete K–12 school year timeline through graduation.
Select your country and region, then choose the child's date of birth to see their grade and school timeline.
How kindergarten eligibility works
Kindergarten eligibility is determined by a single factor: whether your child turns 5 on or before your state's cutoff date in the year they would start school. Most US states use September 1. If your child turns 5 by that date, they can start kindergarten that fall. If they turn 5 the day after, they wait a full year. This one-day difference determines your child's entire K–12 grade placement — every grade from kindergarten through graduation follows from the kindergarten entry year.
What the calculator shows
The calculator shows: (1) whether your child is eligible for kindergarten this school year or the next; (2) which school year they will start kindergarten and how old they will be on the first day; (3) their current grade if they have already started school; and (4) a year-by-year timeline from kindergarten through Grade 12, showing the school year and their age at the start of each grade.
Kindergarten cutoff dates vary by state
While September 1 is the most common cutoff in the US, states use a wide range of dates. Hawaii uses July 31 — one of the earliest. Connecticut uses January 1, meaning any child who turns 5 within the calendar year qualifies. Michigan uses December 1. Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, and Ohio use August 1. Always select your state in the calculator to get the correct cutoff applied automatically.
What if my child just misses the cutoff?
If your child's birthday falls just after the cutoff, you have a few options: wait the year (they'll be among the oldest in their next class, which research suggests is an academic advantage); apply for early entry (some states allow districts to enroll children who miss by a small margin and pass a readiness assessment); or enroll in a private kindergarten, then transfer to public school for Grade 1. Contact your local school district to understand what options are available in your area.
FAQ
What age do kids start kindergarten in the US?
In most US states, children must turn 5 on or before September 1 to start kindergarten that fall. Some states use different cutoffs — Hawaii uses July 31, Indiana and Ohio use August 1, Michigan uses December 1, and Connecticut uses January 1. Select your state in the calculator to get the correct cutoff.
My child turns 5 on September 1 — are they eligible?
Yes. The rule is "on or before" the cutoff date. A child born exactly on September 1 in a September 1 state is eligible to start kindergarten that fall.
My child just missed the cutoff — what are my options?
You can wait the year, apply for early entry if your state allows it, or enroll in private kindergarten and transfer to public school for Grade 1. Research consistently shows that being among the older students in a class carries academic and social advantages, so waiting is often the right call.
Is kindergarten mandatory?
Kindergarten is compulsory in most but not all US states. About 15 states do not mandate kindergarten attendance, though all states fund it. Even in states where kindergarten is not compulsory, Grade 1 always is, and skipping kindergarten may affect grade placement.
Can I use this calculator for Canada, Australia, or the UK?
Yes. The calculator supports all US states, all Canadian provinces, all Australian states and territories, and the four UK regions (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland). Select your country from the dropdown to get the correct regional cutoff applied.