How old is my cat in human years?
A cat's first year equals about 15 human years and its second about 9 more (24 in all). After that each cat year adds about 4 human years, so a 10-year-old cat is about 56 and a 15-year-old cat about 76. Cats count as seniors from about 10 years.
Enter your pet's age and tap Calculate.
Cat age to human years chart
Human-equivalent age and life stage by your cat's age. Between birthdays the calculator above interpolates.
| Cat's age | Human years | Life stage |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 17 years | 84 | Senior |
| 18 years | 88 | Senior |
| 19 years | 92 | Senior |
| 20 years | 96 | Senior |
Cat life stages
| Life stage | Cat's age |
|---|---|
| Kitten | birth to 1 year |
| Young adult | 1 to 6 years |
| Mature adult | 7 to 10 years |
| Senior | over 10 years |
Source: AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines. Content updated 13 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is one cat year equal to seven human years?
No. Cats grow up fast: a 1-year-old cat is roughly a 15-year-old person and a 2-year-old cat roughly 24. After that each cat year adds about 4 human years. This is the convention used in the AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines.
How old is a 10-year-old cat in human years?
About 56 human years. A 15-year-old cat is about 76 and a 20-year-old cat about 96.
When is a cat a senior?
The AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines call a cat a kitten up to 1 year, a young adult from 1 to 6 years, a mature adult from 7 to 10 years and a senior over 10 years.
How often should an older cat see a vet?
At least once a year for every cat, and many vets suggest every six months for senior cats, because illness in older cats is often hidden until it is advanced. Ask your vet what suits your cat.