A universal formula for the accurate calculation of hydrogenic lifetimes

The quantum mechanical lifetimes of atomic hydrogenic states are shown to follow a universal curve when plotted against a simple function of their quantum numbers $n$ and $l$. This universal curve is found to agree with a result derived from the correspondence principle. A simple formula which approximates the universal curve can be used to easily calculate lifetimes for all states $n$, $l \quad \ge $ 1 to an accuracy of 400 parts per million or better. The formula is especially useful for high-n states, where the full quantum calculation is extremely difficult or even impossible to perform.