# How to Plan Your Eagle Merit Badges

Learn how to plan and pace your 21 merit badges for Eagle Scout on our sister site, Merit Badge University.

To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, you need at least **21 merit badges**—including **14 specific Eagle-required badges** and **7 electives**.

Because several Eagle-required badges require **90+ days of continuous tracking**, planning your roadmap early is the key to finishing Eagle smoothly without rushing before your 18th birthday.

Related Guide: [Eagle Scout Merit Badge Strategy & Planning Guide](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/eagle-required/strategy/): Read the full interactive guide on Merit Badge University with 90-day time-lock planning, choice group breakdowns, Blue Card steps, and rank-by-rank roadmaps.

## What You'll Learn in the Full Guide

Head over to [Merit Badge University Eagle Strategy Guide](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/eagle-required/strategy/) to explore:

- **The 4 Time-Lock Badges**: How to manage *[Personal Management](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/personal-management/guide/)*, *[Family Life](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/family-life/guide/)*, *[Personal Fitness](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/personal-fitness/guide/)*, and *[Camping](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/camping/guide/)* without missing deadlines.
- **Choice Group Comparisons**: How to choose between *[Lifesaving](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/lifesaving/guide/)* vs. *[Emergency Preparedness](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/emergency-preparedness/guide/)*, *[Environmental Science](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/environmental-science/guide/)* vs. *[Sustainability](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/sustainability/guide/)*, and *[Swimming](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/swimming/guide/)* vs. *[Hiking](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/hiking/guide/)* vs. *[Cycling](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/cycling/guide/)*.
- **Rank-by-Rank Roadmap**: Which badges to focus on at each rank from Scout to Life.
- **The 5-Step Blue Card Workflow**: Step-by-step instructions for getting counselor sign-offs and tracking completions.
- **Sample Tracker Matrix & Checklist**: Ready-to-use planning templates for your binder.

Merit Badge Guide: [Personal Management Merit Badge Guide](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/personal-management/guide/): Master the 13-week family budget, project timeline planning, and financial fundamentals required for Star, Life, and Eagle.

## Related Leadership & Field Guides

- [Patrol Leader Guide: How to Run a Great Patrol](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/leadership/patrol-method/)
- [Eagle Scout Service Project Guide: How to Plan and Lead Your Project](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/leadership/eagle-project-workbook/)
- [Youth Leadership Hub](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/leadership/)