If you’ve opened Instagram at all in the past week or so, chances are you’ve seen selfies run through how-old.net, a Microsoft robot app that by magic (or a series of algorithms) guesses your age based on an uploaded photo.
Results range from precise to hilariously inaccurate, which makes the robot feel more like a fun drinking buddy and less like a nefarious witch. (Begone, self-conscious feelings and mortal fears!)
The first picture I tested was of me, of course, and it nailed my actual age (26). Subsequent attempts with different photos weren’t so exact. (“29, 32 . . .”)
But as Aaliyah sagely sang, age ain’t nothing but a number — and, after all, I’m just a scruffy writer.
How do more famous faces hold up? Let’s take a look:
Blake Lively
GettyRobot guess:
26
Actual age:
27
In “The Age of Adaline,” Lively plays a woman
. As the robot can attest, this is the first time Hollywood has cast a blonde to look older than she actually is.
Cher
GettyRobot guess:
44
Actual age:
68
Definitive proof that the “If I Could Turn Back Time” legend already has. Bow.
Lorde
GettyRobot guess:
26
Actual age:
18
Yep.
Jared Leto
GettyRobot guess:
40
Actual age:
43
If half of Jared Leto’s hype surrounds his hair, the other half is about how he’s looked 25 for the past 20 years. Good to know someone isn’t fooled by the youthful beard and Jesus locks.
Kiernan Shipka
GettyRobot guess:
26
Actual age:
15
Finally, evidence that the preternaturally
is hiding a secret.
Kylie Jenner
GettyRobot guess:
25
Actual age:
17
Is Kylie old enough for 25-year-old
? Technically, no. But Ms. Jenner has gone to great lengths to make sure that, aesthetically, they’re a perfect match.
Leonardo DiCaprio
GettyRobot guess:
41
Actual age:
40
Remember: Looking your own age and
are two different things.
Angela Bassett
GettyRobot guess:
31
Actual age:
56
Do I even need to say it?
Tom Hiddleston
GettyRobot guess:
44
Actual age:
34
I’ve long thought Tom Hiddleston is one of the most handsome 40- or 50-somethings around. Thrilled the robot agrees.
Lindsay Lohan
GettyRobot guess:
31
Actual age:
28
A decade of hard partying clearly took a toll — but luckily, the robot is a benevolent soul.


