Height Chart by Age for Boys and Girls
This height chart shows the average height for boys and girls at every age from 2 to 20, in feet and cm. The numbers come from the CDC growth charts, the same ones US pediatricians use.
Average Height Chart: Ages 2 to 20
"Average" here means the 50th percentile: half of kids that age are taller, half are shorter. Heights are rounded to the nearest half inch.
| Age | Boys (ft/in) | Boys (cm) | Girls (ft/in) | Girls (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2'10" | 86.9 | 2'9½" | 85.3 |
| 3 | 3'1½" | 95.3 | 3'1" | 94.2 |
| 4 | 3'4½" | 102.6 | 3'4" | 101.1 |
| 5 | 3'7" | 109.2 | 3'6½" | 108.0 |
| 6 | 3'9½" | 115.6 | 3'9½" | 115.1 |
| 7 | 4'0" | 121.9 | 4'0" | 121.7 |
| 8 | 4'2½" | 128.0 | 4'2½" | 127.8 |
| 9 | 4'4½" | 133.9 | 4'4½" | 133.1 |
| 10 | 4'6½" | 138.9 | 4'6½" | 138.2 |
| 11 | 4'8½" | 143.8 | 4'9" | 144.3 |
| 12 | 4'11" | 149.4 | 4'11½" | 151.4 |
| 13 | 5'1½" | 156.5 | 5'2" | 157.2 |
| 14 | 5'4½" | 164.1 | 5'3" | 160.5 |
| 15 | 5'7" | 170.2 | 5'3½" | 161.8 |
| 16 | 5'8½" | 173.7 | 5'4" | 162.6 |
| 17 | 5'9" | 175.3 | 5'4" | 162.8 |
| 18 | 5'9½" | 176.3 | 5'4" | 163.1 |
| 19 | 5'9½" | 176.5 | 5'4½" | 163.3 |
| 20 | 5'9½" | 176.8 | 5'4½" | 163.3 |
Source: CDC growth charts (2000), stature-for-age, 50th percentile.
Height Chart for Boys
Boys grow steadily at about 2 inches a year through childhood, then shoot up between 12 and 15. Most reach close to their adult height by 16 or 17.
- Biggest jump: from 13 to 14, about 3 inches on average.
- After 17: most boys add less than an inch.
- Tall or short at 12? Look at the boys growth chart over time, not one number.
Height Chart for Girls
Girls grow fastest between about 10 and 14, two years earlier than boys. After 14, the average girl grows only about an inch more.
- Girls are taller than boys at 11, 12 and 13. Boys pass them at 14.
- Most girls are at or near adult height by 15.
- Final average: about 5'4" (163 cm).
Child Growth Chart Calculator: How to Read Your Result
The growth chart calculator puts a dot where your child's age and height meet. The curved lines show percentiles, so you can see if your child is near the middle or toward the edges.
- On or near the 50th line: average height for their age.
- Between the 3rd and 97th lines: normal range.
- Over time: most kids follow one curve. A child who crosses two major lines up or down should see a doctor.
For an exact number, try our height percentile calculator. To predict adult height, use the height calculator.
How to Use a Height Measurement Chart at Home
A wall height measurement chart is a fun way to track growth, but only if you measure the same way every time.
- Measure on the same day each year, in the morning, without shoes.
- Use a flat book on the head and a pencil mark on the wall or chart.
- Write the date and age next to each mark.
- Compare the yearly gain with the chart above: about 2 inches a year is typical before puberty.
Height Chart FAQ
What is the average height for a 10-year-old?
About 4'6½" for both boys and girls (around 138 cm).
At what age are girls taller than boys?
On average at 11 to 13, because girls hit their growth spurt about two years earlier.
Is this height chart for the US only?
It's based on US children (CDC data). Average heights differ a little between countries, but the growth pattern is the same everywhere.
How much should a child grow per year?
About 2 to 2½ inches a year from age 5 until puberty, then 3 to 4 inches a year during the growth spurt.
Height Chart References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Growth Charts, 2000.
- CDC. FastStats: Body Measurements (NHANES 2021–2023).
Disclaimer: This calculator gives an estimate for general information only. It is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.