How Much Allowance by Age? A Full Guide
Quick answer: The most common rule of thumb is $1 per week for every year of age — a 7-year-old gets about $7/week, a 12-year-old about $12/week. It's a starting point, not a formula: adjust for your cost of living, whether chores are included, and what the money is expected to cover.
Allowance by age: a starting table
| Age | Weekly range | What it usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| 4–6 | $1–$3 | Small treats, learning that coins have value |
| 7–9 | $5–$9 | Toys, small purchases, first saving goals |
| 10–12 | $10–$15 | Games, hobbies, snacks with friends |
| 13–15 | $15–$25 | Clothes, outings, entertainment |
| 16–18 | $25–$50+ or monthly | Gas, personal spending, budgeting practice |
These are U.S. dollar ranges reported by parenting surveys and financial educators — not a mandate. Families in different cost-of-living areas, or using pocket money in other currencies, should scale accordingly.
Why the $1-per-year rule works as a default
It scales automatically as your kid grows, so you're not renegotiating the amount every year — just the math. It also gives you a defensible, explainable number if a sibling asks "why does she get more than me?"
When to break from the rule
- Chores are included: if allowance is payment for regular chores, many families pay more than the age-only guideline.
- The allowance covers real costs: if a teen is expected to buy their own lunch or bus fare, the number should reflect that, not just their age.
- Multiple kids, different needs: a younger sibling in the same activities as an older one may need a temporary bump.
Adjust it as they grow — without starting over
The number you pick today isn't permanent. The easier problem to solve is tracking it consistently once you've set it, so raises are a quick edit instead of a new system.
Set it once in Kash, adjust it in seconds
- Add your child's profile with an avatar and set their weekly or monthly allowance amount.
- Kash tracks upcoming payments automatically — no spreadsheet, no forgetting.
- Bump the amount whenever they have a birthday or take on more responsibility; the change applies going forward with full history preserved.