Looking down the years
Families change shape in twenty years. Toddlers become adults, parents become grandparents, and the people at the centre of family gatherings shift by a generation. Seeing everyone’s future ages side by side is a simple way to picture that, and it often prompts plans: a trip while the children still want to come, a celebration for a parent’s 80th, a savings goal for a university year that is closer than it looks. The photo above draws each person now and then, sized to their age.
Add as many people as you like and move the slider. The list underneath shows the milestone birthdays each person passes along the way, so you can see which years will be full of parties.
How we calculate it
We take today’s date, add the number of years you choose, and work out each person’s age on that day from their birthday. Milestones are the round birthdays most people celebrate that fall after today and on or before the future date. The combined age is the sum of everyone’s ages on that day.
| Person | Age now | Age in 20 years | Milestones on the way |
|---|---|---|---|
| You (born 12 April 1990) | 36 | 56 | 40, 50 |
| Partner (born 18 June 1992) | 34 | 54 | 40, 50 |
| Child (born 3 September 2019) | 7 | 27 | 18, 21 |
| Mum (born 20 February 1962) | 64 | 84 | 65, 70, 80 |
Worked example. For the family in the table, on 30 October 2046 the four of them have a combined age of 221, up from 141 today. Between now and then they celebrate nine milestone birthdays, including the child’s 18th and Mum’s 80th.
Using it to plan
Some families use the milestone list as a long-range calendar: which year holds two big birthdays, when the youngest leaves school, when grandparents and grandchildren might share a holiday. Writing the dates down is the first step to making them happen.
Questions people ask
Is this a prediction about my family?
No. It simply adds the years you choose to everyone’s age. The future photo shows the ages each person would reach, which is arithmetic, not a forecast.
Can I add more people?
Yes, up to eight. Give each a name and a birthday; the names stay on your screen and are not saved or sent anywhere.
Which milestones does it look for?
The birthdays most families celebrate: 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60, 65, 70, 80, 90 and 100. Any that fall within the years you choose are listed under each person.
Why does the combined age grow so fast?
Each person adds one year for every year that passes, so a family of four adds four years of combined age every year, or 80 years over two decades.
Sources. Gregorian calendar. Calculations run in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.