What is the best bedtime for waking up at 6 a.m.?

For a 6:00 a.m. wake-up, a sensible bedtime generally falls between 9:00 and 11:00 p.m., depending on whether you need seven, eight or nine hours of sleep. Include the time it takes you to fall asleep. If you want eight hours of actual sleep and usually need 20 minutes to drift off, get into bed around 9:40 p.m. so you are asleep by 10:00 p.m. A cycle calculator using 90-minute blocks may suggest 9:00 or 10:30 p.m., but those times are only estimates. Choose a bedtime you can maintain consistently. If you struggle to wake at 6:00 a.m. or feel tired throughout the day, move bedtime earlier rather than relying on cycle calculations.