In most places, kids start kindergarten at around age 5, usually sometime between their 5th and 6th birthday, depending on local cut‑off dates and rules.

Typical starting age

  • In many school systems, kindergarten is designed for children who are 5 years old at the start of the school year.
  • Most U.S. states, for example, require kids to be 5 by a specific date (often late summer or early fall, like August 31 or September 1) to start that year.
  • This means some kids are still 4 on the first day of school but turn 5 during the fall, while others are already 5 or even close to 6.

Why it’s usually age 5

  • Around age 5, many children have the basic social and physical skills needed for group learning: taking turns, sitting for short lessons, using the bathroom independently, and holding a pencil.
  • Experts emphasize that readiness is not just about a birthday; emotional maturity and the ability to follow simple rules matter a lot too.

Local rules and exceptions

  • Legal school‑starting ages vary by country: for example, some countries begin formal schooling at 4, some at 5, and others closer to 6 or 7.
  • Even where kids can start at 5, families sometimes wait until closer to 6 if they feel their child needs more time, especially if the child would be one of the youngest in the class.

Quick answer to your title

If you’re asking “what age do you start kindergarten” in a general sense, the most common answer is: you start kindergarten at age 5 , with some children a little younger or older depending on the cut‑off date and their individual readiness.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.