Online Kick Counter
Reviewed by Safi Allah Khan
00:00
Tap once for each movement. Counting stops at 10.
If your baby's movements slow down or change, call your midwife or maternity unit straight away — don't wait to count.
Medically reviewed by: Safi Allah Khan · Written by the Momi team · Last updated 20 October 2026
Quick answer: A kick counter times how long it takes to feel 10 of your baby's movements. Start the timer, tap once for each kick, roll or flutter, and stop at 10. Many providers look for 10 movements within 2 hours. What matters most is any change from your baby's usual pattern. If movements slow down, call your midwife straight away.
Use the kick counter above, then read on for how to do a count, what's normal, and when to call.
How to use the kick counter
- Pick your time. Choose a time when your baby is usually active. For many people that's after a meal or in the evening.
- Get comfortable. Lie on your side or sit with your feet up, with your hands on your bump.
- Press Start and tap the button each time you feel a movement.
- Stop at 10. The counter shows how many minutes it took to reach 10 movements.
- Do it at a similar time each day so you can compare one day with the next.
The counter warns you if 2 hours pass without 10 movements. That isn't a diagnosis, it's a prompt to call your care team.
What counts as a movement
Count every distinct movement you feel: kicks, punches, jabs, rolls, swishes and stretches each count as one. Hiccups (small rhythmic jumps) usually don't count. If you feel a long roll, that's one movement, not several.
Later in pregnancy, movements often change in feel. Big kicks may become rolls and pushes as space gets tighter. But the amount of movement shouldn't drop. Babies keep moving right up to and during labor.
What's a normal kick count?
There isn't one number that fits every baby, and guidance differs by country:
| Guidance | What it says |
|---|---|
| Many US providers (count-to-10) | Aim to feel 10 movements within 2 hours. Most babies take far less time. Cleveland Clinic notes ACOG describes this approach. |
| ACOG (patient guidance) | Kick counts are a test you can do at home. There are different ways to do them, and your provider will tell you how often and when to call. |
| NHS (UK) | There's no set number of movements. You don't need to count kicks. Get to know your baby's usual pattern and call immediately if it changes. |
| CDC | There's no specific number of movements considered normal. A change in movement is what's important. |
The common thread: know what's normal for your baby, and act on any change. A kick count log helps because it gives you a record to compare against, and something concrete to tell your midwife.
When to call your midwife or doctor
Call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away, even in the middle of the night, if:
- you feel fewer than 10 movements in 2 hours, if that's the method your provider uses
- your baby is moving less than usual, or the pattern has changed
- you can't feel your baby moving at all
- movements suddenly become frantic and then stop
Don't wait until the next day. Don't rely on a home doppler or heartbeat app to reassure yourself. The NHS says hearing a heartbeat at home does not mean your baby is well. Your care team will check your baby's heartbeat and movements properly.
When to start kick counts
Many providers suggest starting in the third trimester, around 28 weeks, when movements are strong and regular. If you have a higher-risk pregnancy, your provider may ask you to start earlier or use a specific method. Before about 24 weeks, movements can be irregular and easy to miss, especially in a first pregnancy or with an anterior placenta. Our guide to when to start kick counts covers timing, the anterior placenta and tips for getting a good count.
Keep a kick count log in Momi
This online kick counter doesn't store anything. If you'd like to keep a kick count log, Momi's kick counter is one tap per kick, and every session is saved. You can see how long 10 kicks took on different days and show your midwife the history. Momi also has a contraction timer for when labor starts, plus your appointments and pregnancy diary.
Download Momi free on the App Store or Google Play. Free with ads; optional Premium.
See also: pregnancy week by week · 28 weeks pregnant
Sources
- NHS, Your baby's movements
- ACOG, Special Tests for Monitoring Fetal Well-Being
- CDC, Urgent Maternal Warning Signs
- Cleveland Clinic, Kick Counts (Fetal Movement Counting)
Medical disclaimer: Momi and this website provide general information, not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or midwife; in an emergency call your local emergency number.
FAQ
How does a kick count work?
You pick a time when your baby is usually active, get comfortable, and time how long it takes to feel 10 movements. Kicks, rolls, jabs and flutters all count. Over several days you learn how long your baby usually takes, so you notice if that changes.
What counts as a kick when kick counting?
Any distinct movement you feel counts as one: a kick, punch, roll, swish, jab or turn. Hiccups are rhythmic and usually aren't counted. If you're unsure whether something was a movement, leave it out.
How many kicks should I feel in 2 hours?
A common method used by many US providers is to feel 10 movements within 2 hours, and many babies get there much faster. The NHS doesn't set a number and says to learn your baby's usual pattern. Ask your provider which approach they want you to use.
When should I start counting kicks?
Many providers suggest starting around 28 weeks, the start of the third trimester, or earlier if you have a higher-risk pregnancy. Some providers, including NHS services, ask you to know your baby's pattern rather than count. Follow your own care team's advice.
What should I do if my kick count is low?
Call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away. Don't wait until the next day, and don't try to get your baby moving with cold drinks or a home heartbeat monitor first. The NHS says to call immediately if your baby is moving less than usual.
Does this online kick counter save my data?
No. The kick counter on this page runs in your browser and doesn't store or send your counts. If you want a saved kick count log, the Momi app saves every session.