Gandalf's age can be understood on two levels: his true spiritual age and his physical age in Middle-earth.
- Gandalf is a Maia, a powerful angelic spirit created by Eru Ilúvatar before the creation of the world (Arda) and even before time itself began. As Olórin, his original Maia name, he existed through the Years of the Lamps, the Years of the Trees, and all three Ages of Middle-earth. This makes his true age approximately 55,000 years or more, as he predates the physical world and time as we know it
- However, Gandalf's physical incarnation as one of the Istari (wizards) began around the year 1000 of the Third Age, when he was sent to Middle-earth to help oppose Sauron. This means his physical body is about 2,000 years old during the events of The Lord of the Rings
- Gandalf himself mentions having "walked the earth for 300 lives of men," which, estimating an average human lifespan of about 70 years, suggests around 21,000 years of experience in Middle-earth in some form, though this is more figurative and emphasizes his long existence and wisdom
In summary, Gandalf's spirit is tens of thousands of years old, possibly around 55,000 years, while his physical form in Middle-earth is roughly 2,000 years old.
