Generations are groups of people born in roughly the same span of years who grew up with similar technology, events and culture. There's no official government definition, but the most widely cited ranges in the US come from the Pew Research Center. Here they are, with the ages each generation reaches during 2026.
Generations by birth year
| Generation | Born | Age during 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Greatest Generation | 1901–1927 | 99+ |
| Silent Generation | 1928–1945 | 81–98 |
| Baby Boomers | 1946–1964 | 62–80 |
| Generation X | 1965–1980 | 46–61 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) | 1981–1996 | 30–45 |
| Generation Z | 1997–2012 | 14–29 |
| Generation Alpha | 2013 to about 2024 | 2–13 |
| Generation Beta | from about 2025 | 0–1 |
The ages are the age each person turns on their 2026 birthday. If your birthday hasn't happened yet this year, subtract one. For an exact answer, use the age calculator or look up a specific year, for example born in 1997 or born in 1981.
Why the boundaries vary
Different researchers draw the lines in slightly different places, and that's normal: generations are a way to describe broad trends, not strict categories. A few examples:
- Baby Boomers are the one generation with a demographic definition: the US Census Bureau uses 1946–1964, the years of the post-war spike in births.
- Millennials sometimes start in 1980 or 1982 in other studies. Pew chose 1981–1996 so that the oldest Millennials were adults (about 20) at the September 11 attacks.
- Gen Alpha is often given as 2010–2024 by the Australian researcher Mark McCrindle, who coined the name, while Pew-style ranges start it in 2013.
- People born near a boundary, such as 1979–1983, often identify with neither group; some writers call them "Xennials".
What shaped each generation
Silent Generation (1928–1945)
Grew up during the Great Depression and World War II. The name reflects a reputation for conformity and caution, although many were active in the civil rights movement.
Baby Boomers (1946–1964)
Born during the post-war baby boom, when US births exceeded 4 million a year. They grew up with television, the space race, Vietnam and the civil rights era, and are now largely retired or nearing retirement.
Generation X (1965–1980)
Sometimes called the "latchkey" generation, as many grew up in households where both parents worked. They saw the arrival of personal computers, MTV and the end of the Cold War.
Millennials (1981–1996)
Came of age around the turn of the millennium, entering the workforce around the 2008 financial crisis. Millennials were the first generation to grow up with the internet as part of daily life.
Generation Z (1997–2012)
The first true "digital natives", who have had smartphones and social media for most of their lives. The oldest Gen Zers turn 29 in 2026; the youngest are in middle school.
Generation Alpha and Beta
Gen Alpha is the first generation born entirely in the 21st century, many of them children of Millennials. Gen Beta, from about 2025, is the newest cohort.
How long is a generation?
"Generation" has two meanings, which have different lengths:
- Social generations like those in the chart usually span 15–20 years. Boomers cover 19 birth years, Gen X 16 and Millennials 16.
- Family generations, the time between a parent's birth and their child's, average roughly 25–30 years. Genealogists often use 25 years per generation for rough estimates, and the average age of US mothers at first birth is now over 27.
So roughly four family generations fit into a century, but five or six social generations can fit into the same span.
Find your generation quickly
- Find your birth year in the left column of the chart.
- If you're within a year or two of a boundary, you're a "cusper". Pick whichever description fits you better.
- To see your exact age in years, months and days, enter your birthday in the age calculator. It also tells you your generation.
See your life in weeks: the life in weeks chart shows every week of a typical lifespan as a small square, a striking way to see where you are compared with each generation.
Frequently asked questions
What years are Gen Z?
Gen Z is usually defined as people born from 1997 to 2012 (Pew Research Center).
How old is Gen Z in 2026?
Gen Z members turn 14 to 29 during 2026.
What generation is someone born in 1996?
1996 is the last birth year of the Millennial generation under Pew's definition. Someone born in 1997 is the first year of Gen Z.
What comes after Gen Alpha?
Generation Beta, starting with babies born around 2025.