Cat Age Calculator: Cat Years to Human Years
Cats grow up fast. By their first birthday they are roughly the equivalent of a 15-year-old, and by two they are young adults in their mid-20s. After that, each cat year adds about four human years. Enter your cat’s age to convert it and see which life stage your cat is in.
Cat years to human years chart
| Cat’s age | Human years | Life stage |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | about 7–8 | Kitten |
| 1 year | 15 | Young adult |
| 2 years | 24 | Young adult |
| 3 years | 28 | Young adult |
| 4 years | 32 | Young adult |
| 5 years | 36 | Young adult |
| 6 years | 40 | Young adult |
| 7 years | 44 | Mature adult |
| 8 years | 48 | Mature adult |
| 9 years | 52 | Mature adult |
| 10 years | 56 | Mature adult |
| 11 years | 60 | Senior |
| 12 years | 64 | Senior |
| 13 years | 68 | Senior |
| 14 years | 72 | Senior |
| 15 years | 76 | Senior |
| 16 years | 80 | Senior |
Human-year figures from 1 to 16 follow the American Veterinary Medical Association’s age chart. For a cat older than 16, add about four human years per year: a 20-year-old cat is roughly 96. The figures for kittens under a year are a straight-line estimate between birth and 15.
Cat life stages
Vets now group cats by life stage rather than by human-year equivalents. The 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines use:
- Kitten: birth to 1 year.
- Young adult: 1 to 6 years.
- Mature adult: 7 to 10 years.
- Senior: over 10 years.
- End of life: a stage that can come at any age.
Each stage brings different priorities. Kittens need growth food, vaccines and socialization (see how to care for a kitten). Older cats are good at hiding illness, so changes in weight, appetite, thirst or litter box habits deserve a call to the vet. Our guides to senior cat care and food for senior cats go into detail.
Common questions
Is one cat year equal to seven human years?
No. Cats mature much faster than that in their first two years, and age at about four human years per year afterward. A 1-year-old cat is roughly a teenager, not a 7-year-old child.
Is a 15-year-old cat old?
Yes. At 15 a cat is about 76 in human terms and has been a senior for several years by the AAHA/AAFP guidelines.
Do indoor cats age differently?
The conversion is the same, but lifestyle affects health along the way. Indoor cats avoid traffic and fights, though they can be more prone to weight gain, so watch portions and play time. The pet food calculator also works for cats.