This height percentile calculator shows how a height compares with other kids and teens of the same age and sex, using the CDC's official stature-for-age growth charts for ages 2 to 20. A result at the 60th percentile means the person is taller than about 60 out of 100 peers. It works for boys and girls, and for adults it compares you with the CDC's reference at age 20.
How to use the height percentile calculator
- Choose male or female. Boys and girls have separate CDC charts because they grow on different schedules.
- Enter age in years and months. Months matter, especially during puberty when kids grow fast. Use 20 for any adult.
- Enter height in feet and inches or centimeters, measured without shoes against a flat wall. Our height comparison page explains how to measure accurately at home.
- Read the result. You'll see the percentile, the CDC median height for that age, a z-score (how many standard deviations above or below the median the height is) and a growth chart showing where the height sits.
How the calculator works
The CDC publishes three numbers, called L, M and S, for each month of age from 2 to 20. M is the median height, S describes how spread out heights are, and L corrects for the fact that heights aren't perfectly symmetrical around the middle. The calculator finds the values for your exact age, then uses the CDC's formula:
z = ((height ÷ M)^L − 1) ÷ (L × S)
The z-score is then converted to a percentile using the normal distribution. A z-score of 0 is the 50th percentile, and a z-score of −1.645 is the 5th. Our methodology page has the full details.
The CDC built these charts from five national surveys that measured US children between 1963 and 1994. For adults (20 and older), the calculator uses the age-20 values, which describe young adults. Because older generations were slightly shorter and people lose some height with age, your rank among all US adults may be a bit higher. See the average height for men and average height for women guides for the latest measured adult percentiles.
What your child's height percentile means
| Percentile | What it means |
|---|---|
| Below 3rd | Shorter than 97 of 100 peers; doctors call this short stature and may look for a cause |
| 5th–95th | The middle 90% of kids; generally typical |
| 50th | Exactly in the middle (the median) |
| Above 97th | Taller than 97 of 100 peers; doctors call this tall stature |
There's no "best" percentile. KidsHealth points out that a child at the 5th percentile can be just as healthy as one at the 95th. What doctors watch is the pattern over time: most healthy kids grow along roughly the same percentile year after year.
For example, a 14-year-old boy who is 5'3" (160 cm) is at about the 32nd percentile, while the median 14-year-old boy is 5'4.5" (163.5 cm). For a full table by age, see average height by age.
Height percentile for boys vs. girls
Girls usually start their growth spurt earlier, so at 11 and 12 the median girl is as tall as or taller than the median boy. Boys keep growing longer and end up taller on average. That's why the calculator never compares boys with girls.
Puberty timing also moves percentiles. A boy who develops early may jump up the chart at 12 or 13, while a late bloomer may slip down for a while and catch up later. Doctors know that percentiles can shift during infancy and puberty without anything being wrong.
CDC vs. WHO growth charts
The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend the World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts from birth to age 2, and the CDC charts for ages 2 to 20. That's why this calculator starts at age 2. If you're checking a baby or toddler, your pediatrician's WHO-based chart is the right tool.
Does a percentile predict adult height?
Only roughly. A child who stays on the 75th percentile through the teen years often ends up near the 75th percentile as an adult, but early or late puberty can throw that off. Parents' heights add useful information; you can try the mid-parental height calculator or our full prediction below.
The only precise way to know how much growth is left is a bone-age X-ray read by a doctor, which shows how mature the growth plates are.
When to talk to a doctor
Bring your child's measurements to a pediatrician if:
- Height is below the 3rd percentile or above the 97th.
- Height has dropped across two or more major percentile lines over time (for example, from the 25th to the 5th).
- Growth was less than about 2 inches (5 cm) in a year during childhood, before puberty.
- There are no signs of puberty by about age 14 in boys or 13 in girls.
- The child is much shorter than the parents' heights would suggest.
A single measurement is a snapshot. Several accurate measurements over 6 to 12 months tell a much clearer story.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal height percentile?
Most children fall between the 5th and 95th percentile lines on the CDC charts, and anywhere in that band is generally typical. Doctors usually describe short stature as below the 3rd percentile and tall stature as above the 97th. A steady pattern over time matters more than any single number.
Is the 50th percentile the ideal height?
No. The 50th percentile is just the middle, where half of kids the same age and sex are shorter. A child who grows steadily along the 10th or the 90th percentile can be just as healthy.
Does my child's height percentile predict adult height?
Roughly, but not exactly. Many kids stay near the same percentile, but puberty timing can move them up or down for a few years. Parents' heights and, when needed, a bone-age X-ray give a better picture.
Why did my teen's height percentile drop?
During puberty, kids who develop later often slip down the chart while classmates have their growth spurt, then catch up. A drop across major percentile lines can also signal a health problem, so it's worth showing the measurements to a doctor.
Can I use this calculator for a baby or toddler under 2?
No. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend WHO growth charts for children under 2, so this calculator starts at age 2 and uses the CDC charts through age 20.
Sources
- Percentile Data Files with LMS Values — CDC
- 2000 CDC Growth Charts: Features and Data — CDC
- Growth Chart Recommendations and Rationale — CDC
- Evaluation of Short and Tall Stature in Children — American Family Physician (AAFP)
- When a Child is Unusually Short — American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Growth Charts — Nemours KidsHealth
- Delayed Puberty — StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, NIH)
Updated 2026-11-05. How our calculators work · Editorial policy