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Curating the best options...
Gathering insights tailored just for you
Estimate your child's future height using parental genetics.
60–80%
Genetics drives adult height
±4 in
Typical prediction accuracy
95%
Children land within range
(Mom + Dad + 5″) ÷ 2(Mom + Dad − 5″) ÷ 2Result ±4 inches (10 cm). About 95% of children fall within this window.
This midparental height calculator uses the mid-parental height formula — also called the Tanner method — which pediatricians have used for decades to estimate a child's adult height from both parents' heights.
Why does it work? Because genetics drives between 60 and 80 percent of adult height. The remaining 20 to 40 percent comes from environmental factors — nutrition, sleep, health, and physical activity. Your child's final height is mostly a blend of both parents' genes, with lifestyle influencing where they land within that genetic ceiling.
Our calculator above runs this formula instantly. Just enter both parents' heights — imperial or metric — and it does the rest. It also works for predicting the height of a future or unborn child, since the formula only needs parental heights.
Three approaches — ranked by what you have vs. how precise you need to be.
The most widely used approach for a quick genetic baseline. Average both parents' heights, then adjust +2.5 in for boys, −2.5 in for girls. Requires no measurements of the child.
Developed at Wright State University in 1994. Factors in how the child is already growing, giving a tighter prediction than the mid-parental method alone. Requires a current measurement.
A wrist X-ray reveals skeletal maturity — how much growing time remains. The most precise method available, but requires a clinical visit and is reserved for children with growth concerns.
Based on CDC growth chart 50th-percentile data (United States). Individual variation is always normal.
| Age | Boys (in / cm) | Girls (in / cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 yrs | 34.2" / 87 cm | 33.5" / 85 cm |
| 4 yrs | 40.3" / 102 cm | 39.5" / 100 cm |
| 6 yrs | 45.5" / 116 cm | 45.0" / 114 cm |
| 8 yrs | 50.5" / 128 cm | 50.0" / 127 cm |
| 10 yrs | 54.5" / 138 cm | 54.3" / 138 cm |
| 12 yrs | 58.7" / 149 cm | 59.0" / 150 cm |
| 14 yrs | 64.5" / 164 cm | 63.0" / 160 cm |
| 16 yrs | 68.3" / 174 cm | 64.0" / 163 cm |
| 18 yrs | 69.2" / 176 cm | 64.0" / 163 cm |
Source: CDC Growth Charts for the United States (NCHS, 2000 revision).
The table shows 50th-percentile values — meaning half of all children that age are taller and half are shorter. Being above or below these numbers isn't a red flag on its own. What pediatricians actually track is whether a child's growth stays consistent on their own curve over time. Jumping or dropping two or more percentile lines between visits is a bigger signal than where the number lands.
Genetics sets the blueprint. Environment decides whether they build to the full plan.
This is by far the largest driver. Taller parents tend to raise taller children, and shorter parents tend to have shorter children. But it's not a perfect copy — a process called regression toward the mean applies, so very tall parents usually have kids who are tall but slightly shorter than themselves, and vice versa. That's completely normal.
Adequate protein, calcium, zinc, and vitamin D are non-negotiable for healthy bone growth. Chronic malnutrition — even mild, sustained nutritional gaps — genuinely prevents children from reaching their genetic potential. This is one of the few environmental factors that can measurably shorten final adult height.
Growth hormone is released predominantly during deep sleep stages. Children aged 6 to 13 should get 9 to 11 hours nightly; teenagers need 8 to 10. Chronic sleep deprivation during critical growth years is associated with measurably lower final height — it's one of the most underappreciated growth factors.
Weight-bearing activities — running, jumping, sports — strengthen bones and support healthy development. There's no strong evidence that exercise makes children taller than their genes allow, but staying active helps them reach the upper end of their genetic range. Sedentary lifestyles are linked to poorer overall bone density and growth outcomes.
Growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, Turner syndrome, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel conditions can all impair growth if left untreated. On the flip side, precocious puberty may produce a taller childhood height but a shorter adult height — because the growth plates close earlier. If something feels off, a pediatrician can investigate.
One of the most common questions parents have is when their child will finally stop growing. The honest answer: it depends on when puberty starts, and that varies by gender.
Most children grow just fine without any intervention. But certain patterns are worth flagging at your next well-child visit. Don't panic if one applies — many turn out to be normal variation — but they're worth a conversation.
Mention it to your pediatrician if:
A pediatric endocrinologist can run targeted tests — bone age assessment, growth hormone levels, thyroid function — to determine whether there's an underlying cause or whether your child is simply on their own unique timeline.
Continuous tracking matters more than any single number. If you're pregnant and preparing for your baby's first milestones, our pregnancy weight gain calculator monitors healthy fetal growth before birth.
What your pediatrician really means — and why the trend matters far more than the number.
What a percentile actually means: If your child is in the 40th percentile for height, it means 40 out of 100 children the same age and gender are shorter than your child, and 60 are taller. That's the whole definition — nothing more.
3rd
Shorter than 97% of peers
May warrant monitoring. Don't panic — often reflects parental genetics.
50th
Exactly average
Taller than half, shorter than half. Perfectly middle of the curve.
97th
Taller than 97% of peers
Not a problem unless growth is accelerating rapidly beyond the curve.
The trend is what pediatricians actually watch
A child consistently at the 25th percentile is growing normally — they're simply on the shorter end, and that's fine. A child who drops from the 60th to the 20th percentile between two visits is a different story. That shift in the curve — not the number itself — is what triggers further investigation.
The CDC provides standardized growth charts for children aged 2 to 20. The WHO publishes separate charts for infants under 2. Your pediatrician plots your child's measurements on these at every well-child visit — it's one of the most important routine screenings they perform.
Curious about other genetic predictions? Our baby blood type predictor explores another fascinating side of inherited biology. Still in the expecting stage? Our due date calculator is the place to start.
Medical Disclaimer: This child height predictor provides estimates for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The mid-parental height formula provides a genetic estimate — actual growth depends on nutrition, health, hormonal factors, and many other variables. If you have concerns about your child's growth, please consult a licensed pediatrician or pediatric endocrinologist.
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