Your privacy choices

We use essential storage to remember your settings. With your permission, Google AdSense may use cookies to serve and measure ads. Privacy Policy.

Jet lag

Estimate how many days it takes to adjust after crossing time zones.

Built and maintained by The NumberPrism Editorial TeamEditorial policy

Your details

Results update as you type. The formula and assumptions are explained below the calculator.

Estimated recovery time

6 days

Time difference6 hours
Body clock directionNeeds to move earlier
Daily adjustment target1 hour earlier each day
Buffer before the event3 day(s) short

This is a planning estimate for a typical adult, not medical advice. Age, sleep debt, alcohol and flight timing all change how quickly you adjust.

Share calculator

Use this tool

Embed

What does this tool do?

Jet lag is the mismatch between your body clock and local time. Most travellers adjust about one time zone per day going east and a little faster going west, because the internal clock naturally runs slightly longer than 24 hours.

The Formula

Recovery days ≈ time zones × 1.0 (east) or × 0.75 (west)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is jet lag worse flying east or west?

Eastward travel is usually harder because the body clock has to advance, which fights its natural tendency to run long. Westward travel is often easier and slightly faster to recover from.

Can light exposure speed up adjustment?

Yes. Morning light helps advance the clock after eastward travel, while evening light helps delay it after westward travel. Keep the pattern consistent for a few days.