Health & Healing
How long does a bruise take to heal?
Estimated wait
7 days – 30 days
Typically ~14 days
Based on published sources
Timeline guide
- Faster cases~10 days
- Average cases~14 days
- Slower casesUp to 30 days
"Days to months" is severity-driven — most everyday bruises clear in ~2 weeks. A bruise that appears with no injury, keeps recurring, or hasn't faded after 2–3 weeks is worth checking with a doctor.
Most bruises fade in about 2 weeks, according to MedlinePlus. They cycle through colour changes as they heal — reddish at first, then blue or purple within a day or two, then greenish-yellow, before returning to normal skin tone.
More details
Deeper or larger bruises, and bone bruises, can take a month or longer. The colour changes are a normal part of healing, not a sign of infection.
Last updated: 4 Jul 2026
Information is for general knowledge only.