Calgary ER Wait Times

8 emergency departments · AB · Live as of 1:10 a.m. MDT

Shortest in Calgary if you leave now

Avg 7h 9m · Longest 7h 53m

In an emergency, call 911.

Compare all 8 Calgary ER wait times

ERstat lists all 8 Calgary emergency departments side by side, sorted from the shortest wait to the longest, using data from Alberta Health Services (AHS). Right now the difference between the shortest and longest ER wait in Calgary is 49m — Rockyview General Hospital at 5h 57m versus Foothills Medical Centre at 7h 53m.

Each hospital page also shows the typical quietest time to visit based on historical patterns, plus a 12-hour wait forecast, so you can plan a non-urgent trip around the busiest hours.

Alberta Children's Hospital

24/7 · 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW

5h 56m

Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre

24/7 · 1213 4 Street SW

5h 59m

Rockyview General Hospital

24/7 · 7007 14 St Sw

7h 3m

Peter Lougheed Centre

24/7 · 3500 26 Ave Ne

7h 26m

South Health Campus - Children's Emergency

24/7 · 4448 Front Street SE

8h 39m

Foothills Medical Centre

24/7 · 1403 29 St Nw

7h 52m

South Calgary Health Centre

Limited hours · 31 Sunpark Plaza SE

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South Health Campus

Limited hours · 4448 Front Street Se

5h–9hPredicted

Calgary ER Wait Forecast

Predicted average ER wait across Calgary over the next 12 hours, based on ERstat’s model. Use it to time a non-urgent visit for a quieter window.

Calgary ER Forecast — Next 12 Hours

7h9
7am
7h54
8am
9h12
9am
11h12
10am
10h11
11am
10h29
12pm
10h50
1pm
10h44
2pm
10h9
3pm
9h10
4pm
8h
5pm
6h51
6pm

Projected from typical wait patterns across Calgary ERs and the current average wait.

Best Time to Visit an ER in Calgary

Based on historical wait patterns across Calgary emergency departments, here is when they tend to be quietest and busiest. Waits are typically longest in the early morning and shortest around midday.

Shortest wait Fridays 4pm avg ~2h 22m
Longest wait Tuesdays 4am avg ~6h 1m

Which Calgary ER Is Usually Fastest?

The live board above changes hour to hour. The table below is different: it shows the typical wait at each Calgary emergency department, computed from ERstat’s own tracking history over recent months. South Calgary Health Centre posts the shortest typical wait at 2h 4m, while Foothills Medical Centre typically runs 5h 8m.

Hospital Typical wait Usually quietest Usually busiest
South Calgary Health Centre 2h 4m Sundays 2pm Mondays 8pm
Alberta Children's Hospital 2h 30m Wednesdays 1pm Tuesdays 6am
Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre 2h 38m Fridays 4pm Tuesdays 4am
South Health Campus - Children's Emergency 3h 30m Fridays 6pm Tuesdays 4am
Rockyview General Hospital 3h 50m Thursdays 4pm Tuesdays 4am
South Health Campus 3h 51m Saturdays 5pm Tuesdays 3am
Peter Lougheed Centre 4h 16m Fridays 5pm Saturdays 4am
Foothills Medical Centre 5h 8m Mondays 1am Tuesdays 8am

Typical Calgary ER Waits by Day of Week

Day Typical average Quietest window
Monday 3h 16m around 3pm
Tuesday 3h 50m around 5pm
Wednesday 3h 31m around 5pm
Thursday 3h 25m around 4pm
Friday 3h 33m around 4pm
Saturday 3h 39m around 5pm
Sunday 3h 23m around 5pm

Typical waits are long-run averages from ERstat’s recorded history and will differ from the live numbers above. Triage severity always determines who is seen first.

Nearby ERs Outside Calgary

Airdrie Community Health Centre

Airdrie · 33 km away

5h 29m

Cochrane Community Health Centre

Cochrane · 37 km away

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Oilfields General Hospital

Diamond Valley · 37 km away

1h–2h 45mPredicted

Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre

Okotoks · 32 km away

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Emergency Rooms in Calgary

Calgary has 8 emergency departments — 6 open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 2 with limited operating hours. 6 of 8 currently have live wait time data.

Wait time data for Calgary is sourced from Alberta Health Services (AHS) and updates as frequently as every 2–5 minutes. ERstat displays the estimated time from triage registration to being seen by a physician.

All emergency departments in Calgary use the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to prioritize patients. Patients with more serious conditions are always seen first, regardless of arrival time or displayed wait. A shorter posted wait does not guarantee a shorter visit — it depends on the severity of your condition relative to other patients in the department.

Tips for Visiting an ER in Calgary

Check wait times on this page before leaving. ERstat updates every 5 minutes and shows all Calgary ERs sorted from shortest to longest wait. Each hospital page includes a 12-hour forecast chart and a “Best Time to Visit” pattern based on historical data.

If your condition is not life-threatening, consider whether a walk-in clinic, urgent care centre, or pharmacist could help instead. Alberta pharmacists can assess and prescribe for many common conditions with no appointment needed. See what your pharmacist can treat →

Not sure if you need the ER? Call 811 to speak with a registered nurse. Free, confidential, available 24/7.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency — chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, or loss of consciousness — call 911 immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortest ER wait time in Calgary right now?
The shortest ER wait time in Calgary right now is at Rockyview General Hospital with an estimated wait of 5h 57m. Wait times update every 15 minutes on ERstat.
How many emergency departments are in Calgary?
Calgary has 8 emergency departments, 6 of which operate 24/7. 6 currently have live wait time data available on ERstat.
How can I check ER wait times in Calgary?
ERstat tracks live ER wait times for all Calgary hospitals using data from Alberta Health Services (AHS). Visit erstat.ca or check this page for current wait times, sorted from shortest to longest. Each hospital page includes a 12-hour forecast and a best time to visit pattern based on historical data.
What is the average ER wait time in Calgary?
Right now the shortest ER wait in Calgary is 5h 57m at Rockyview General Hospital, and the longest is 7h 53m. The average across Calgary's reporting emergency departments is about 7h 9m, but waits vary widely — checking the live board and choosing the shortest can save hours. The average shifts through the day; overnight tends to run longer than midday.
Should I go to the ER with the shortest wait time?
Not necessarily. All Canadian emergency departments use triage — patients with more serious conditions are seen first regardless of arrival time. A hospital with a longer posted wait may still see you faster if your condition is urgent. For non-emergencies, consider a walk-in clinic, urgent care, or pharmacist visit instead.
Where does ERstat get Calgary ER wait time data?
ERstat sources Calgary wait time data from Alberta Health Services (AHS). Data updates as frequently as every 2–5 minutes.
What if all Calgary ERs have long wait times?
ERstat shows nearby emergency departments outside Calgary with current wait times and driving distance. You can also call 811 to speak with a registered nurse who can help you decide where to go. For non-emergency conditions, a pharmacist or walk-in clinic may be able to help with no wait.

Not an emergency? 89 walk-in clinics in Calgary — hours & walk-in status

View all Alberta ER wait times

How does Alberta grade on ER data transparency?

Urgent Care in Alberta

Urgent care treats the broken wrists, infections and stitches an emergency department would make you wait behind more serious cases for. Alberta publishes its urgent care waits, and they are not comparable to an ER wait.

More Cities in Alberta

Work at an ER? Report your wait times — free, takes 30 seconds.

Hospital administrator? Manage your ER listing on ERstat.

Not sure you need the ER? · What your pharmacist can treat

Hospital wait times across Canada →