What age is kindergarten in the USA?

Usually 5 years old by September 1st.

Can my child start kindergarten early or late?

In some areas, parents can request early or delayed entry, or schools may do readiness assessments. You’ll need to check your local district’s rules to know what’s possible.

School Age Calculator – USA Grade Level Finder

Q: What grade is a 10-year-old in?

Most 10-year-olds in the United States are in 4th or 5th Grade, depending on when their birthday falls and the local cutoff date.

Q: What grade is a 13-year-old in?

A 13-year-old is usually in 7th or 8th Grade in the U.S. education system.

Check what grade a child belongs in based on age and birth date. This free tool instantly shows the correct US grade level from Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Child's Date of Birth

(Format: MM / DD / YYYY)

State (Optional)

Important Note

This is an estimate based on a standard September 1st cutoff. School districts in your area may have different rules. Please confirm with your local school.

Understanding School Placement

In the USA, school placement is primarily determined by age. Most states use a September 1st cutoff date. This means if your child turns 5 on or before September 1st, they are eligible for Kindergarten that year.

🔹 What grade is my child in by age?

A simple way to estimate grade level is to start with Kindergarten at age 5 and add one grade for each year. For example, many 10-year-olds are in 5th grade, while most 13-year-olds are in 7th or 8th grade, depending on their birthday and local school rules.

Grade by Age Reference (USA)

5-6 Years Kindergarten

6-7 Years 1st Grade

7-8 Years 2nd Grade

8-9 Years 3rd Grade

9-10 Years 4th Grade

10-11 Years 5th Grade

11-12 Years 6th Grade

12-13 Years 7th Grade

13-14 Years 8th Grade

14-15 Years 9th Grade (Freshman)

15-16 Years 10th Grade (Sophomore)

16-17 Years 11th Grade (Junior)

17-18 Years 12th Grade (Senior)

💡 Age & Grade Examples (USA)

● What grade is a 10-year-old in?

In most US schools, a 10-year-old is typically in 4th or 5th Grade. Our calculator uses the standard September 1st cutoff to give you the most accurate result based on their exact birth date.

● What grade is a 13-year-old in?

Most 13-year-olds are in 7th or 8th Grade (Middle School). This depends on whether their birthday falls late in the year or if they started school a bit earlier.

● How old are you in 5th grade?

Students in 5th grade are usually 10 to 11 years old. They generally start the year at age 10 and turn 11 during the school term.

● How old was I in 2nd grade?

Children in 2nd grade are almost always 7 to 8 years old. If you are looking back at memories, that is the age range you were in during that year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is Kindergarten? ▼

Usually 5 years old. The child must typically turn 5 by September 1st of the enrolling year.

What grade is a 6-year-old in? ▼

Most 6-year-olds in the U.S. are in 1st Grade, but some may still be in Kindergarten depending on their birthday and the state’s cutoff date.

How does the school cutoff date work? ▼

Many U.S. states use a cutoff (like September 1st). If a child turns the required age on or before that date, they can start that grade in the same school year. If their birthday is after the cutoff, they usually wait until the next year.

Does this calculator work for every state? ▼

This tool uses a standard September 1st cutoff as a general guide. Some states and districts may use slightly different dates or local rules, so you should always confirm with your local school.

Can my child start early? ▼

Some districts offer early entry based on assessments, but this varies strictly by location.