How Long Does a Migraine Last? Duration Calculator
A migraine headache usually lasts 4 to 72 hours if it is untreated or treatment does not work, and the whole attack can run longer once warning signs and the after-effects are counted. Enter when your pain started or ended below to see where you are in that timeline. It is free, needs no sign-up, and nothing you enter leaves your browser.
Where are you in your migraine?
Tell us when the pain started (or when it ended) and see where you are in a typical migraine attack. Nothing leaves your device.
Get urgent medical care if
- a headache comes on suddenly and is the worst you have ever had
- you have a headache with fever, a stiff neck, or a rash
- you have weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, vision loss, confusion, or a seizure
- you have a headache after a head injury
- you cannot keep fluids down, or the pain will not ease after 72 hours
How long each migraine phase lasts
A migraine attack can have up to four phases. Not everyone has all of them, and the lengths below are ranges, not promises.
| Phase | Typical length | What it can feel like |
|---|---|---|
| Prodrome | A few hours to 2 days | Yawning, mood change, food cravings, neck stiffness |
| Aura | 5 to 60 minutes | Flickering lights, blind spots, tingling, speech trouble |
| Headache | 4 to 72 hours | Throbbing pain, nausea, light and sound sensitivity |
| Postdrome | Hours to about 2 days | Fatigue, brain fog, a "hangover" feeling |
Only some people get an aura, and some attacks skip the prodrome. Read more about early warning signs, aura and the migraine hangover.
What makes a migraine shorter or longer
- Treatment timing. The 4 to 72 hour range applies without effective treatment. Medicine that works can end the pain sooner, and the headache may return within a day.
- Sleep. Many people find a migraine eases after sleep, and poor sleep can prolong the next one.
- Hormones. Attacks around your period can last longer for some people. Try the menstrual migraine tracker.
- Frequent painkillers. Taking acute medicine on many days a month can make headaches more frequent. Use the medication-overuse checker.
- Age. In children and teenagers, attacks can be shorter, from about 2 hours.
Know your own timeline, not the textbook one
Claru's Migraine Mode opens a distraction-free screen to log an attack in seconds, with onset presets like "2h ago", plus medication and time to relief. Over a few attacks you build your own picture, and Pro turns it into a doctor-report PDF.
Download Claru freeAvailable for iOS and Android. Current availability and plans are listed in the app store.
When a long migraine needs medical care
Do not wait it out if
- the pain lasts longer than 72 hours (status migrainosus)
- you cannot keep fluids down
- it is sudden, the worst headache of your life, or comes with fever, a stiff neck, weakness or confusion
Keep a log of start times, treatment and recovery to bring to your appointment. Our printable headache diary works for that, and the warning signs guide explains when to see a doctor.
People Also Ask
How long does a migraine last on average?
The headache phase lasts 4 to 72 hours without effective treatment, according to the ICHD-3 criteria. Counting warning signs before the pain and the after-effects, a whole attack can take from several hours to a few days.
How long does a migraine hangover last?
The postdrome, often called a migraine hangover, usually lasts from a few hours up to about a day, and sometimes up to 2 days. Rest, fluids and regular meals help. See our migraine hangover guide.
Can a migraine last for days?
Yes, but 72 hours is the line for a typical attack. A disabling migraine that goes on for more than 72 hours is called status migrainosus and needs medical advice.
How long does a migraine aura last?
Each aura symptom usually lasts 5 to 60 minutes and builds up gradually. An aura that lasts longer than 60 minutes, or that is new or different, should be checked by a clinician.
Can I make a migraine end faster?
Acute medicine taken early in an attack, rest in a dark quiet room and sleep help many people. Ask your clinician which treatment is right for you, and do not take painkillers on most days of the month.
Is my data saved or uploaded?
No. The calculator runs in your browser. Your last entries are kept only on your device so the page can remember them.
Related Resources
- Migraine hangover (postdrome): symptoms and relief
- Migraine prodrome: warning signs before pain
- Migraine attack duration: track the full timeline
- Printable Headache Diary: Free Custom PDF Generator
- MIDAS Score Calculator: Free Disability Assessment
- When to see a doctor about headaches: warning signs
Sources: ICHD-3: 1.1 Migraine without aura; ICHD-3: 1.2 Migraine with aura; ICHD-3: 1.4.1 Status migrainosus; American Migraine Foundation: How long does a migraine attack last?; The Migraine Trust: Stages of a migraine attack; Editorial standards. Last reviewed October 9, 2026. This tool is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Seek urgent care for a sudden severe headache or new neurological symptoms.