I recently got a fitbit, and noticed there’s a breakdown of the different “stages” of sleep and how long I spent in each one. I’m not exactly sure what to do with this information, it seems like I’m getting enough sleep but I don’t feel rested, especially since I started CPAP therapy. How much deep sleep and how much rem sleep are you supposed to get each night?
There isn’t a precise amount of different sleep stages that’s normal I don’t think. The amount is different night to/person to person.
Honestly I wouldn’t trust the sleep stage results on your fitbit, they just estimate based on things like movement and heart rate and it isn’t accurate.
That’s not exactly true, this video breaks down different smartwatches and their sleep tracking results, some are actually good: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuantifiedScientist
Great question — and you’re definitely not alone in feeling confused by all the data Fitbit gives you.
Generally speaking, deep sleep (also known as N3) should make up about 13–23% of your total sleep, which comes out to roughly 1–2 hours if you’re getting a full night’s rest. REM sleep typically accounts for 20–25% of your night — around 90–120 minutes for most adults.
While everyone’s sleep patterns are a bit different, if you’re seeing way less than that (especially under 1 hour of deep or REM sleep), that might explain why you still feel tired — even with CPAP. Sometimes it takes time for CPAP therapy to restore normal sleep architecture, especially if your body is still adjusting or your mask/settings aren’t ideal.
You can read more here if you’re interested in the sleep stages and how much you really need:
How Much Deep, Light, and REM Sleep Do You Need?
You’re doing the right thing by paying attention to your sleep patterns — it can take a little trial and error, but you’re not alone in this. Others here may have had similar experiences adjusting to CPAP, so feel free to share more if you’d like support or advice from the community, We’re here for you ![]()
Hi @JScott85
I have been tracking my sleep with a Fitbit too, and I had the same confusion. From my experience, there is a lot of variation, but I usually aim for a few hours of deep sleep and a similar amount of REM. Even if the totals look okay, I found that feeling rested also depends on consistency and how well CPAP is actually improving my sleep quality.
You generally want about 20–25% REM sleep and 15–25% deep sleep each night. Since you’ve just started CPAP, it can take a few weeks for your body to adjust and for your sleep stages to balance out. If you still feel tired after that, it’s worth checking your CPAP settings with your doctor.
My AmazFit often gets it wrong.
Deep sleep should be about 20-25% of your total sleep and REM sleep should be around 20%. If you feel tired even with CPAP therapy it could be worth talking to your doctor again. It might take time for your body to adjust.