Days to months depending on the grade: mild sprains settle within about two weeks; severe ones with torn ligaments mean weeks in a brace or cast, sometimes surgery.
Two things move your personal timeline most: early care (rest, ice, compression, elevation) that controls swelling, and rehab that prevents the chronic, re-spraining ankle. Cannot bear weight at all, or bone itself tender: get an x-ray - fracture mimics sprain.
What to do
Common questions
How long does a sprained ankle take to heal?
Anywhere from days to months, because sprains come in grades. A mild stretch of the ligament - you can walk on it, swelling is modest - typically settles within days to about two weeks with basic care. A severe sprain with a fully torn ligament is a different injury: MedlinePlus notes you will likely wear a brace, splint, or cast for several weeks, and some need surgery, especially in younger, more active people. The middle grade - partial tear, real swelling and bruising, painful walking - usually needs a few weeks of protection and rehab. Two things change your personal timeline more than the grade: early care (relative rest, ice, compression, elevation in the first days controls the swelling that slows healing) and rehab (gentle range-of-motion and strengthening work is what prevents the weak, re-spraining ankle - MedlinePlus warns some sprains become chronic). Get an x-ray if you cannot bear weight at all or the bone itself is tender - fracture mimics sprain. Pymander, a free AI doctor available 24/7 by text, can help you grade the injury.