This is how many times you should pee in a day, according to your age

Wondering what’s ‘normal’? (Picture: Getty Images) Spending a penny, taking a tinkle, answering nature’s call. We might all have different names for it, but urination is a near-universal experience — although how often you go, can be far more individual. Some people wake up bursting multiple times a night, while others can go for a full working day without so much as a single trip to the loo — and where you sit on this scale can say a lot about your overall health. According to Hamid Abboudi, consultant urologist at New Victoria Hospital, tea, coffee, alcohol or fizzy drinks can make you pee more often than usual, as they ’cause the bladder to become over active or over twitchy.’ Medical conditions – including UTIs, prostate or bladder cancer, multiple sclerosis and strokes – can also impact this, along with your gender and whether you’re pregnant. But the main factor affecting frequency is your age, as Hamid explains: ‘Across a patient’s life span there are likely to be several changes to toilet habits.’ Wondering what’s ‘normal’ for each stage of your life? Urine luck. Children: 6 to 14 times a day ‘Young children may urinate 8 to 14 times a day, which decreases to 6-12 times for older children,’ Hamid tells Metro. If a child needs to pee more often than this, it could be down to one of the following issues: Anxiety Caffeine consumption, which increases urine output and can cause bladder muscle spasms Constipation Consuming ingredients a child is allergic to Holding on urine for too long Small bladder capacity Structural abnormalities in the bladder or urethra Teenagers: 4 to 6 times a day While teenagers typically pee around 4-6 times a day, it’s not uncommon for this to increase while they’re going through puberty and the ‘transition of hormonal imbalances’ that comes with it. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Hamid says that most of the time this is ‘nothing to worry about and will naturally clear up,’ but adds that it can potentially be a sign of something more serious. If frequent urination continues, issues such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), diabetes, excessive caffeine consumption or – in rare cases – bladder cancer could be to blame. Age is a major contributing factor (Picture: Getty Images) Adults under 60: 6 to 9 times a day Hamid says it’s normal for most adults to pee 5-8 times during the day and ‘once at night depending on their circumstances.’ However, he adds that ‘women tend to urinate more frequently than men,’ citing one study which found women average 5.6 times per day, while the figure for men sat at 4.8. ‘For women, pregnancy can be a trigger, as the pressure effect of the baby on the uterus can cause increased frequency of urination and nocturia (nighttime urination),’ explains Hamid. ‘Urinary tract infections are also very common in women and can lead to increased urinary frequency.’ Adults aged 60+: Up to 10 times a day As we age, we may find it harder to hold on, as kidney function starts to decline and bladder muscles become weaker. According to the NHS, nocturia is also more common, and elderly people ‘may be getting up twice a night’ to use the loo as a result of reduced antidiuretic hormone (ADH) regulating the amount of water in the body. Additionally, Hamid says ‘older adults are more likely to be on a form of medication called diuretics for various medical conditions’, and this can make for more frequent toilet trips throughout the day at night. He adds: ‘For men, as they get older the prostate gland increases in size. This puts a pressure effect on the bladder and can increase the number of times a man urinates.’ Red flag symptoms to look out for Hamed recommends seeking medical advice if you experience any of the following symptoms: Blood in the urine Any change to your usual habit Waking up to pee more than once each night He adds that cigarette smokers should be extra vigilant of a change in pattern, as this group is at ‘increased risk of bladder cancer’. Deals of the Day The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 A friend said I looked 'snatched' – I credit this new Charlotte Tilbury powder Shop MySweetSmile's biggest Bank Holiday offers before they end Back-to-school shopping just got a lot cheaper thanks to Primark The back-to-school essential parents forget every year – and it could cost them A version of this article was published in May 15, 2025 and has since been updated. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: The orgasm technique used unknowingly by women to intensify their climax Arrow MORE: Is it safe to eat eggs? Latest advice as deadly salmonella outbreak nears 500 cases Arrow MORE: The 10 UK areas where people live the longest — and what they have in common The Slice Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.