Age Gap Calculator
Enter two ages to get the age difference and find out whether the couple passes the "half your age plus seven" rule, or whether people will talk.
- Age difference in years
- Youngest and oldest acceptable partner
- A pass or fail verdict
What is the half-your-age-plus-seven rule?
The dating age rule says the youngest person you should date is half your age plus seven. Flip it around and the oldest person you should date is your age minus seven, doubled.
- Minimum age = (your age ÷ 2) + 7
- Maximum age = (your age − 7) × 2
Age gap chart
| Your age | Youngest partner | Oldest partner |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | 16 | 22 |
| 20 | 17 | 26 |
| 25 | 19½ | 36 |
| 30 | 22 | 46 |
| 35 | 24½ | 56 |
| 40 | 27 | 66 |
| 45 | 29½ | 76 |
| 50 | 32 | 86 |
| 60 | 37 | 106 |
How common are age gap relationships?
In Census Bureau data on U.S. opposite-sex married couples, about a third are within a year of each other. Gaps of 10 years or more apply to fewer than one in ten couples, usually with the husband older. Research suggests big gaps are linked to slightly higher divorce risk; see the Divorce Probability Calculator.
Where does the rule come from?
Versions of it appeared in print in the early 1900s and it spread online in the 2000s. It's not based on research, though studies of stated dating preferences roughly match it for men. Track your own milestones with the Anniversary Calculator or the Age Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What age gap is acceptable?
By the rule, a 30-year-old can date anyone from 22 to 46. Couples set their own limits; it's a social guideline, not a law.
What is the average age gap in a marriage?
For U.S. opposite-sex married couples, the husband is about two years older on average.
How do I calculate the exact age difference?
Use the Age Calculator with both birth dates for years, months and days.
Is the dating age rule the same as half your age plus seven?
Yes. They're two names for the same formula.