How much does the tooth fairy leave?
The short answer for 2026: about $5.84 per tooth. It's a little more for a first tooth, and it varies by where you live.
The going rate, at a glance (2026):
National average: $5.84 per tooth · First tooth: $7.17 · By region: $5.27–$6.45.
If there's a tooth under the pillow tonight and you just want a number, that's it. You can stop here. If you'd like the number tailored to your region and whether it's a first tooth, the calculator does it in five seconds:
Tooth Fairy Rate Calculator
Get your exact going rate in five seconds →
Where the numbers come from
These figures are from the 2026 Delta Dental Original Tooth Fairy Poll, the 28th annual edition of the most widely cited survey on the subject. Importantly, they describe what parents report leaving, not what anyone should leave. Think of it as a benchmark that takes the guesswork out of a 10pm decision, not a bill.
The August 2026 release added something the dollar figures don't capture: 35% of parents say the tradition encourages better oral care in their children. The same poll found 32% of children received a non-cash gift rather than money, up from 19%, so the going rate is only part of what actually changes hands.
Why the first tooth costs more
The first lost tooth is a milestone, and the data shows parents treat it that way: about 38% deliberately leave extra, pushing the national first-tooth figure to roughly $7.17. Leaning into that is lovely. A first tooth only happens once. More on the first tooth →
Does it really vary by region?
It does, modestly. The Northeast runs highest (~$6.45) and the Midwest lowest (~$5.27), with the West and South in the middle. See the full regional breakdown →
The one thing that matters more than the amount: consistency. Kids compare notes, with siblings and with their own past teeth. Whatever you choose, keeping it steady (adjusting only for the first-tooth premium) keeps the magic feeling fair.The amount matters less than what happens next. LumiJar turns tonight's coins into money habits, and makes sure the fairy never forgets.
See how LumiJar works
LumiJar turns the tooth fairy into a lesson in saving, with Jarly keeping it going all year.