Health & Healing
How long does a broken bone take to heal?
Estimated wait
42 days – 5 months
Typically ~49 days
Based on published sources
By case
- Faster cases~42 days
- Average cases~49 days
- Slower casesUp to 5 months
Not medical advice; healing varies by age, bone and case — consult your doctor.
Most broken bones heal in about 6 to 8 weeks, but the time varies a lot by bone and severity — small bones can knit in a few weeks, while a large bone like the tibia (shin) can take 4 to 5 months or more.
More details
Children heal faster than adults. Healing slows with age, smoking, diabetes, poor nutrition or poor blood supply. A bone becomes able to bear weight before it regains full strength, so follow your doctor's timeline rather than how it feels.
Last updated: 28 Jun 2026
Information is for general knowledge only.