Earth is about 4.54 billion years old, with an estimated uncertainty of ±0.05 billion years. This age is based on radiometric dating of meteorites, the oldest terrestrial minerals, and lunar samples, which collectively provide a consistent timeline for Earth's formation and early history

. The formation of Earth began soon after the formation of calcium–aluminium- rich inclusions in meteorites, which are dated to about 4.567 billion years ago. These inclusions mark the beginning of the Solar System's formation. Earth formed through accretion from the solar nebula, a rotating cloud of gas and dust, approximately 4.54 billion years ago

. Early in its history, Earth underwent differentiation, where heavier elements sank to form the core and lighter elements formed the crust. A significant event in Earth's early history was a collision with a Mars-sized protoplanet named Theia, which led to the formation of the Moon

. The oldest minerals on Earth, zircon crystals from Western Australia, are about 4.4 billion years old, indicating that Earth's crust had formed and liquid water existed relatively soon after the planet's formation

. In summary, scientific consensus places Earth's age at about 4.54 billion years, determined through radiometric dating techniques and supported by geological and astronomical evidence