Kindergarten Age Calculator: When Can My Child Start Kindergarten?

Most children start kindergarten at age 5, but the exact school year depends on your child’s birthday and your state’s cutoff date. Enter both below to see when your child can start, how old they’ll be compared to classmates, and how every other state would treat the same birthday.

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Dates are set by state law and checked in October 2026. Your district has the final say, so confirm with your school before you register.

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What age is kindergarten?

Kindergarten is for children who are 5 years old when the school year starts. Because birthdays fall all through the year, kids in the same kindergarten class are usually between 5 and 6 years old on the first day, and most turn 6 before the year ends.

Which year your child starts depends on one date: your state’s kindergarten cutoff date. In a state with a September 1 cutoff, a child who turns 5 on or before September 1 can start that fall. A child who turns 5 on September 2 waits until the next year, and becomes one of the oldest in the next class.

For example, in a September 1 state, a child born in March 2022 starts kindergarten in fall 2027 at age 5 and a half. A child born in October 2022 starts in fall 2028, just before turning 6.

Kindergarten cutoff dates by state (2026–27)

This table shows the last birthday that qualifies for kindergarten in each state, based on each state’s education law and department guidance, checked in October 2026. A child must be 5 on or before this date. Tap any row to see it in the calculator.

Some districts set their own dates or offer extra options, so always confirm with your school district before you register.

Ohio kindergarten age law: what changed in 2026

Ohio changed its kindergarten age rule in 2026. Under House Bill 114, which took effect on March 20, 2026, a child can start kindergarten if they are 5 years old by the first day of instruction in their school district.

• Before: children had to be 5 by September 30, or by August 1 in districts that chose the earlier date.
• Now: the cutoff is your district’s own first day of school. Most Ohio districts start in mid to late August, so a child with a late August or September birthday will usually wait a year.
• Early admittance: a child who turns 5 after the first day but before January 1 can be evaluated for early admittance under the district’s policy. A parent, teacher, preschool teacher, or pediatrician can refer the child.
• First grade: the September 30 date (or August 1 in some districts) still applies to first grade.
• Waiting a year: Ohio’s compulsory school age is 6, so families can choose to start kindergarten the following year.

To check your child, choose Ohio in the calculator and enter your district’s first day of school. You’ll find it on your district’s school calendar.

States with special rules

California: transitional kindergarten (TK)

California’s kindergarten cutoff is September 1. Since 2025–26, transitional kindergarten is open to every child who turns 4 by September 1. TK is a free year of public school before kindergarten, so most California children can attend two years before first grade: TK at age 4 and kindergarten at age 5.

Michigan: the parent waiver

Michigan’s cutoff is September 1, but if your child turns 5 between September 2 and December 1, you can decide to enroll them that fall. You give the school district written notice, usually by June 1. The district can share its opinion, but the choice is yours.

New York and New York City

New York State law uses December 1, one of the latest cutoffs in the country. New York City public schools go even further and use the calendar year: children start kindergarten in the fall of the year they turn 5, even with a December birthday. In the calculator, choose New York and tick “We live in New York City.”

States where districts decide

In Colorado, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, each school district sets its own kindergarten age rule. Most districts follow a common date (shown in the table), but it can vary from one town to the next. Choose your state in the calculator, then enter your district’s date if it’s different.

States that changed recently

Some states have moved their cutoff in the last few years, so older charts online are often wrong. Connecticut moved from January 1 to September 1 in 2024–25, and its early-entry waivers end after 2026–27. Wyoming moved from September 15 to August 1, West Virginia moved to a July 1 rule (June 30 is the last birthday), Nevada uses August 1, and Kentucky uses August 1.

Should you wait a year? (Kindergarten redshirting)

Holding a child back a year before starting kindergarten is often called redshirting. It’s most common for children with summer birthdays who would be among the youngest in their class, and it’s more common for boys.

Research on redshirting is mixed. Some studies find that older kids in a class do a little better in the early grades, but the gap usually shrinks by the end of elementary school. Other studies find benefits to starting on time, such as an extra year of learning. There’s no single right answer, so it’s worth looking at your own child.

Questions to think about:

• Social and emotional readiness: can your child separate from you, take turns, follow simple directions, and handle small frustrations?
• Attention: can they sit for a short story or activity, about 10 to 15 minutes?
• Self-care: can they use the bathroom, wash their hands, and put on a jacket on their own?
• Interest in learning: are they curious about letters, numbers, and books? They don’t need to read yet.
• Your options: is there a good pre-K or TK program for the extra year? An extra year should be a good year, not a lost one.
• Your state’s rules: in a few states, kindergarten or school is required at age 5 or 6, which can limit how long you can wait.

Talk to your child’s preschool teacher, who sees them with other kids every day, and your pediatrician. Many schools also offer a kindergarten readiness screening in the spring.

Can my child start kindergarten early?

In many states, a child who just misses the cutoff can still start early if the district agrees. This is usually called early entry or early admission. It often involves a request from the parent and a readiness test or evaluation. Some states set a limit on how late the birthday can be: for example, North Dakota allows early entry for children who turn 5 before December 1, and North Carolina for children who turn 5 by April 16.

Other states, such as Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, and Virginia, don’t allow early entry at all. The calculator tells you when early entry might be an option for your child’s birthday.

What age is each grade?

Once you know your child’s kindergarten year, the rest follows. Here’s how old children usually are in each grade at the start of the school year:

Grade	Usual age
Pre-K	4 to 5
Kindergarten	5 to 6
1st grade	6 to 7
2nd grade	7 to 8
3rd grade	8 to 9
4th grade	9 to 10
5th grade	10 to 11
6th grade	11 to 12
7th grade	12 to 13
8th grade	13 to 14
9th grade	14 to 15
10th grade	15 to 16
11th grade	16 to 17
12th grade	17 to 18

The calculator also shows your child’s high school graduation year. It’s always 13 years after the fall they start kindergarten.

Getting ready for kindergarten

Whatever year your child starts, a little practice at home helps. A few short, fun activities a week are plenty:

• Practice the kindergarten sight words with our free flash cards and reading games.
• Make free kindergarten math worksheets for counting, adding, and number bonds.
• Try our kindergarten math games and kindergarten activities at home.
• See what kids learn all year in our kindergarten curriculum guide.

Kindergarten age FAQ

How old are kindergarteners?

Most kindergarteners are 5 years old when school starts and turn 6 during the school year. The youngest are just 5 and the oldest may already be 6 on the first day.

Can a 4-year-old go to kindergarten?

Usually not. A child must be 5 by the cutoff date. A few states allow early entry for children who turn 5 a little later in the fall, often after a readiness evaluation, and Michigan lets parents choose for children who turn 5 by December 1. Many states offer free pre-K or transitional kindergarten for 4-year-olds instead.

What is the most common kindergarten cutoff date?

September 1 is the most common date. About half the states use it or a date within a few days of it. The earliest is West Virginia (5 before July 1) and the latest are New York (December 1) and New York City (December 31).

Is kindergarten required?

It depends on the state. Some states, such as Hawaii, Louisiana, and Virginia, and the District of Columbia, require kindergarten. Others don’t require school until age 6 or 7. Even where it isn’t required, nearly all children attend.

My child turns 5 the day after the cutoff. Can they start?

Not automatically. The cutoff is firm in most states, but check whether your state or district offers early entry. Your child will be one of the oldest in next year’s class, which many parents find works out well.

We are moving to another state. Which cutoff applies?

The cutoff of the state where you enroll applies. Some states make exceptions for children who already started kindergarten in another state, so bring their records. The map in the calculator shows how every state treats your child’s birthday.

When should I register for kindergarten?

Many districts open kindergarten registration in the winter or early spring before the school year starts, often between January and April. Check your district’s website early, especially for popular programs.