How Old is Cal Kestis?

Cal Kestis is one of the most compelling young Jedi to emerge in the Star Wars Jedi saga, a character forged by loss, exile, and resistance. 

First introduced in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Cal captured the attention of Star Wars fans as a former Padawan who narrowly survived Order 66—thanks to the ultimate sacrifice of his Jedi Master, Jaro Tapal. 

Just a teenager at the time of the Great Jedi Purge, Cal’s story is one of survival against staggering odds, as he evaded the ever-expanding reach of the Galactic Empire and the Inquisitors that hunted survivors of the Jedi Order.

Guided by allies like Cere Junda and driven by the lessons of his fallen master, Cal’s path unfolds from a haunted boy in hiding to a battle-tested Jedi Knight. 

With his blue lightsaber in hand, he comes to embody the very legacy the Empire sought to extinguish. As the timeline stretches into Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, fans continue to ask: how old is Cal Kestis during these pivotal events, and what does his age reveal about his evolution as a Force wielder—and as a man?

Cal Kestis’ age as a Padawan during Order 66

At the time of Order 66, Cal was only 12 or 13 years old — a child in the midst of his training under Jedi Master Jaro Tapal. 

Stationed aboard a Venator-class Star Destroyer with the 13th Battalion during the Clone Wars, Cal was thrust into chaos when the clone troopers turned on the Jedi. 

Though barely a teenager, he managed to survive the onslaught thanks to his master’s sacrifice, carrying with him the burden of guilt and the fractured memories of that day.

How old Cal Kestis is in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order takes place five years after the purge, placing Cal at around 17 or 18 years old during the events of the game. In hiding on the scrapyard world of Bracca, Cal conceals his identity by working as a rigger for the Scrapper Guild. 

However, when he uses the Force to save a friend, he draws the attention of Imperial Inquisitors, forcing him to confront the past he tried to bury and step back onto the path of the Jedi. 

Despite his youth, Cal quickly proves himself through acts of courage, selflessness, and raw determination, growing from a fearful exile into a Knight guided by the Force.

Cal Kestis’ age in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

By the time Jedi: Survivor begins, another five years have passed. Now 23, Cal is a seasoned fugitive who has matured into a more resolute and formidable Jedi. 

Having survived duels with Inquisitors and even faced Darth Vader, he continues his resistance against the Empire, this time working alongside figures like Saw Gerrera. The Empire hasn’t forgotten him either — an Imperial Senator is now involved, and Cal’s lost lightsaber has somehow fallen into Imperial hands, hinting at deeper entanglements. 

Far from the uncertain youth of Fallen Order, the Cal of Survivor is shaped by purpose and hardened by loss.

Other youthful figures in the Star Wars universe

Cal Kestis is not alone in being thrust into galactic struggles at a young age. Anakin Skywalker was a mere boy when he was first discovered by the Jedi, already exhibiting raw power in the Force. 

Ezra Bridger, the orphaned teen from Star Wars Rebels, became a key figure in the early rebellion. Ahsoka Tano started as Anakin’s Padawan during the Clone Wars and would go on to forge her own legacy outside the Jedi Order. 

Even Luke Skywalker, though slightly older at 19 in A New Hope, began his hero’s journey with little knowledge of his true heritage. And in the era of The Acolyte, Vernestra Rwoh stands out as one of the youngest Jedi Knights, representing a new generation of Force-sensitive youth, and female Jedi.

Final thoughts

Cal Kestis' age may be counted in standard years, but his experiences speak of a lifetime lived between the cracks of a fractured galaxy. 

From a twelve-year-old Padawan fleeing clone troopers aboard a crumbling Venator-class Star Destroyer, to a twenty-three-year-old Jedi Knight facing off against Darth Vader himself, his journey spans far more than battles and survival—it speaks to the enduring strength of the Jedi spirit. In him, we see the echoes of Anakin Skywalker’s power, the resolve of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the hope Ahsoka Tano once carried beyond the fall of the Jedi Order.

Whether dueling the Second Sister, sparring with Nightsister Merrin, or recovering Jedi holocrons across forgotten planets, Cal stands not only as a survivor—but as a symbol of a reborn Jedi legacy. 

With Jedi Survivor expanding his legend across Xbox Series X, Lucasfilm Games, and beyond, Cal continues to inspire a new generation of Star Wars fans. The question of how old Cal Kestis is may begin with a number—but it ends with a legacy. One built not just on years, but on resilience, purpose, and the unwavering light of the Force.