Height Calculator
Predict your child's adult height or convert between height units
How to Use This Height Calculator
- Select your child's gender (height predictions differ for boys and girls)
- Choose your preferred unit system (US feet/inches or metric centimeters)
- Enter the mother's height accurately
- Enter the father's height accurately
- Click 'Predict Height' to see the estimated adult height with range
- Use the converter tab to switch between height measurement systems
Example: For a boy with a mother who is 5'4" (162 cm) and a father who is 5'10" (178 cm), the predicted adult height is approximately 5'10.2" (178.5 cm), with a typical range of 168.5-188.5 cm.
Tip: This is an estimate based on genetics. Nutrition, health, sleep, and activity levels during childhood significantly influence final height.
Why Use a Height Calculator?
Understanding potential adult height helps parents monitor child development, pediatricians assess growth patterns, and individuals set realistic expectations.
- Parents curious about their child's potential adult height
- Pediatricians assessing whether a child's growth is on track
- Young athletes projecting physical development for sport selection
- Identifying potential growth disorders early for medical intervention
- Understanding the genetic component of height inheritance
- Converting height between metric and imperial systems for international use
Understanding Your Results
The mid-parental height method provides an estimate with typical accuracy within 4 inches (10 cm) in either direction.
| Result | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Within expected range | Normal genetic inheritance | Growth is tracking with genetic expectations. Maintain good nutrition and sleep habits. |
| Above expected range | Growing faster than predicted | Often normal, but significant deviation may warrant pediatric evaluation. |
| Below expected range | Growing slower than predicted | Could be late bloomer or growth issue. Consult pediatrician if concerned. |
| Far outside range | Significant deviation | Discuss with pediatric endocrinologist to rule out growth hormone issues. |
Meaning: Normal genetic inheritance
Action: Growth is tracking with genetic expectations. Maintain good nutrition and sleep habits.
Meaning: Growing faster than predicted
Action: Often normal, but significant deviation may warrant pediatric evaluation.
Meaning: Growing slower than predicted
Action: Could be late bloomer or growth issue. Consult pediatrician if concerned.
Meaning: Significant deviation
Action: Discuss with pediatric endocrinologist to rule out growth hormone issues.
Note: Final adult height is typically reached by age 16-18 for girls and 18-20 for boys.
About Height Calculator
Formula
Boys: (Mother's Height + Father's Height + 5") / 2 | Girls: (Mother's Height + Father's Height - 5") / 2 The 5-inch (13 cm) adjustment accounts for the average height difference between adult men and women. Some methods use 2.5 inches added for boys and subtracted for girls from the average.
Current Standards: The mid-parental height method has a standard error of about 2 inches (5 cm). CDC growth charts track children's height percentiles by age and can identify growth concerns earlier than simple predictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are height predictions for children?
The mid-parental height method is accurate within about 4 inches (10 cm) for most children. This means if the prediction is 5'10", actual height will likely fall between 5'6" and 6'2". Predictions become more accurate as children approach puberty and growth patterns become clearer.
What factors affect height besides genetics?
Nutrition (especially protein, calcium, vitamin D), sleep quality (growth hormone releases during deep sleep), chronic illness, hormonal conditions, and severe stress during childhood all influence final height. Children who experienced malnutrition or illness may not reach their genetic potential.
When do children stop growing?
Girls typically complete their growth by age 14-16, about 2-3 years after their first menstrual period. Boys usually finish growing by age 16-18, though some continue until 20. Growth plates in bones fuse when growth stops, which can be verified with an X-ray.
Can you be taller than both parents?
Yes, absolutely. Height inheritance is polygenic (controlled by many genes), so children represent a combination of genetic possibilities from both family lines. A child can inherit height-promoting gene variants that neither parent expressed. Improved nutrition compared to parents' childhoods also contributes.
Should I be concerned if my child is shorter than predicted?
Minor variations are normal - predictions have significant margins of error. Consult a pediatrician if your child falls below the 3rd percentile on growth charts, shows a sudden drop in percentile ranking, or has growth significantly slower than siblings. Early intervention for growth disorders is more effective.