Guide · Investing for teens · Updated October 2026

    Investing for Teens: How Old Do You Have to Be, and How to Start

    Quick answer: you must usually be 18 to buy stocks in your own account, but teens of any age can invest with a parent through a custodial account, and some brokerages offer teen accounts from age 13. Teens with job income can also open a custodial Roth IRA. Start small, with a low-cost index fund, and invest regularly.

    Investing ages at a glance

    What you want to doMinimum age
    Buy stocks on your own18 (the age to sign a brokerage contract in most states)
    Invest with a parent (custodial account)Any age — the parent opens and manages it
    Teen account at some brokeragesOften 13–17, with a parent's account linked
    Open a Roth IRAAny age, with earned income (custodial until 18 or 21)
    Day trade18, plus brokerage margin rules; not recommended for beginners

    3 ways teens can invest

    • Custodial brokerage account (UTMA/UGMA): a parent manages it; the money legally belongs to the child and transfers to them at 18 or 21.
    • Teen brokerage account: the teen picks investments in their own app, with a parent's oversight.
    • Custodial Roth IRA: for teens with earned income — tax-free growth for retirement. See our Roth IRA for kids guide.

    Before investing: 4 money basics

    1. Needs vs. wants: know what you must pay for before you invest anything.
    2. An emergency cushion: keep some cash saved for short-term goals.
    3. Compound growth: money earns returns, then those returns earn returns. Starting early is the biggest advantage teens have.
    4. Waiting: investing means not touching the money for years. Practicing savings challenges builds that patience.

    A simple plan to start investing as a teenager

    1. Earn regular money — see ways for teens to make money.
    2. Split each payday: spend, save, invest (for example 50/30/20).
    3. Open a custodial or teen account with a parent.
    4. Buy a broad, low-cost index fund; skip single stocks and trading at first.
    5. Check in monthly at a family money meeting, not daily.

    Where the investing money comes from

    The best investors build an earning and saving habit first. In Qoin Wealth, parents assign tasks, check they're done and reward real money, and teens decide how much goes toward saving and long-term goals. When your teen is ready, moving part of each reward into an investment account turns that habit into compound growth.

    FAQs

    How old do you have to be to buy stocks?

    You usually must be 18 to open your own brokerage account. Younger kids and teens can own stocks through a custodial account or a teen account a parent opens and supervises.

    Can a 16-year-old invest in stocks?

    Yes, with a parent. A 16-year-old can invest through a custodial brokerage account, a teen account linked to a parent, or a custodial Roth IRA if they have job income.

    Can a 13-year-old invest in stocks?

    Yes, through a custodial account opened by a parent or guardian. Some brokerages also offer teen accounts starting at 13.

    How old do you have to be to day trade?

    18, and day trading has extra brokerage rules. For teens, long-term investing in low-cost index funds is a far better learning path.

    What should a teenager invest in first?

    Many beginners start with a broad, low-cost index fund, which spreads money across many companies. Learn the basics before buying single stocks.

    How much money does a teen need to start investing?

    Often very little — many brokerages allow fractional shares for a few dollars. The habit of investing regularly matters more than the starting amount.

    General education, not investment advice. Investments can lose value. Rules vary by state and brokerage.

    Related guides

    Sources & further reading

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