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Apple Health metrics › REM Sleep
REM Sleep on Apple Watch and iPhone
Time spent in REM, the stage tied to dreaming and memory processing.
Where to find itHealth app > Browse > Sleep > Sleep Stages
What it is
REM sleep is one of the sleep stages Apple Watch estimates. It tends to be concentrated in the second half of the night.
How Apple measures it
Apple Watch (with watchOS 9 or later) estimates REM from motion and heart rate patterns, then logs minutes per night.
What's a normal range?
REM is commonly about 20 to 25% of total sleep in healthy adults, so roughly 1.5 to 2 hours out of 7 to 8.
What moves it
- Alcohol (suppresses it)
- Short sleep, which cuts late-night REM
- Some medications
- Irregular schedules
- Stress
See REM Sleep next to your other vitals
Apple Health keeps this number several taps deep. OnlyVitals puts the metrics you pick, including REM Sleep, on a single dashboard so you can read them at a glance. Everything stays on your device.
One screen for the health numbers you care about.
Get OnlyVitals on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
How much REM sleep is normal?
About 20 to 25% of a night's sleep for most adults, which is around 90 to 120 minutes.
Why is my REM sleep low on Apple Watch?
Alcohol, a short night and late bedtimes are the usual causes. Watch is estimating stages, so look at weekly averages.
Related metrics
- Deep Sleep
- Core Sleep
- Awake Time During Sleep
- Wrist Temperature
- Walking Heart Rate Average
- Heart Rate Recovery
This page is general information, not medical advice. Ranges vary by age, sex, fitness and device. Talk to a clinician about anything that worries you.