22-46 is acceptable.

I'm a so long as both are older than 18 it's fine kinda person.

I'm 40 now and can't imagine dating someone younger than 30. People change so much between 20-30 that the person you start with may not be the person you end with. People should never quit growing and learning. But I want to know that the person has enough life experience and stability to be a reliable partner. That being said, I also hold older women at an arms length because in my experience they tend to want more control. I don't want control or to be controlled. I want an equal partnership with respect and love. I understand that that changes depending on the person but IN GENERAL I would go -7 or +5. There are exceptions to that based on maturity, intellect, vibe, etc.

I know a relationship therapist with a list. Everyone needs to be:

1. Legal.
2. Capable of enthusiastic consent.
3. Enthusiastically consenting.
4. Respectful.
5. Aware of each other's expectations.

Check the boxes and have fun.

If they are both consenting adults and personalities don't cause a toxic environment what does it matter.

Are there any?

If you're 18+, you're free to be with whoever you want to be. As long as no abuse is going on in either direction, and both are happy, who am I to judge

I think life situation is probably more important than strictly age. If you're an independent 30 year old working a full time job you probably don't want to date a college student that lives with their parents.

Half your age +7 years. 30yo can date 22yo.

Every kid in my high school knew the "half your age plus 7" rule for bounding age gaps:

Age of younger person in the relationship = (Age of older person in the relationship / 2) + 7

So if you are 30 then you can date from 22 to 46. Science!

Though, really, beyond your mid-20s I think you can date as old as you like. As long as everyone is consenting, open, and honest, then have fun.

My sister's ex is my mom's age (25 year age gap). They dated when she was in her late 20s. Honestly they had a great relationship and, while he was a bit "immature" for his age (financially), he was a really awesome dude and they had lots in common. The main reason it didn't work out was because she wanted kids, and having kids with a man in his early 50s, who aleady had like a 20 year old kid, is difficult.

I think that's what often causes issues in big age gap relationships, they're often at different points of family/career development.

The flip side of this is that I met my uncle's (61) girlfriend, who is, I believe, 25 or 26 and I did get the ick because she's younger than two of his older children and has braces that make her look a lot younger than that. Most people thought she was a friend of his youngest kids (who are 19). She's nice though I guess. And my uncle needs therapy, but that's not necessarily related to this.

If they are looking to date younger, I'd say that 25 would probably be the realistic minimum, as that is the age by which the brain is fully developed. If a thirty year old is looking to date older, I don't really see any real limit. Their brain is fully developed, and they've been an adult long enough that they can evaluate the pros and cons of the older person.