Accurate age estimation is important in a variety of settings, particularly those in which age is a condition for access to a product such as alcohol or tobacco. The current paper reviews data on the estimation of age, focusing on changes that occur to the ageing face, methodology and findings. The accumulated data suggest that age estimation of unfamiliar faces can be quite accurate, is sensitive to cues at the local and global level and may vary on the basis of group membership. Potential directions for future research are highlighted and findings are discussed with respect to their implications for policies regarding the solicitation of age identification.