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Compare your height to population averages using CDC/WHO growth charts
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Shorter than 100% of people
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About average height
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Final adult height
A height percentile calculator is a statistical tool that determines where an individual's height falls within the distribution of heights for their age and gender in the general population. The calculator uses standardized growth charts developed by the CDC for Americans and WHO for international populations, which are based on measurements from thousands of individuals across different age groups. When you receive a percentile ranking, it tells you what percentage of the population is shorter than you. For example, being in the 75th percentile means you are taller than 75% of people your age and gender. These calculators are essential tools in pediatric medicine for monitoring child development and identifying potential growth disorders early. For adults, height percentiles provide interesting comparative data but are less clinically significant since growth is complete. The calculator accounts for the fact that average heights differ significantly between males and females, with adult men averaging 5 feet 9 inches (69.2 inches) and adult women averaging 5 feet 4 inches (64.2 inches) in the United States. Height percentiles are particularly useful during childhood and adolescence when tracking growth patterns over time.
Calculating height percentiles involves comparing an individual's height to reference data using statistical methods. First, measure height accurately: for children and adults, use a stadiometer with the person standing barefoot, heels together against the wall, looking straight ahead, and with a right angle at the top of the head. Record the measurement to the nearest 0.1 inch or centimeter. Next, determine the person's exact age and gender. The calculator then references CDC or WHO growth charts that provide age and gender-specific height distributions. These charts use the LMS method (Lambda for skewness, Mu for median, Sigma for coefficient of variation) to calculate precise percentiles. The formula converts the raw height measurement into a z-score, which represents how many standard deviations the height is from the average. This z-score is then converted to a percentile using standard normal distribution tables. For adults, the calculation is simpler as growth is complete, so percentiles are based solely on gender without age considerations. Predicted adult height for children can be estimated using mid-parental height (average of parents' heights, adjusted for gender) or by bone age assessments, though these predictions have significant margins of error and are best interpreted by healthcare professionals.
| Age/Category | Male Average | Female Average |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | 54.5 inches (4'6.5") | 54.3 inches (4'6.3") |
| 15 years | 67.0 inches (5'7") | 63.8 inches (5'3.8") |
| Adult (20+) | 69.2 inches (5'9") | 64.2 inches (5'4") |
| Tall (90th percentile) | 73.0 inches (6'1") | 68.0 inches (5'8") |
| Short (10th percentile) | 66.0 inches (5'6") | 61.0 inches (5'1") |
Note: Heights vary by ethnicity and region. These are US averages based on CDC data.
The average adult male height in the US is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (69.2 inches or 175.7 cm), while the average adult female height is about 5 feet 4 inches (64.2 inches or 163.1 cm). These averages can vary slightly by ethnicity and generation.
No, once growth plates close after puberty (typically ages 16-18 for females, 18-21 for males), no further height increase is possible. However, good posture and spinal health can help you maximize your existing height.
Height predictions based on current percentiles or mid-parental height have a margin of error of about 2-4 inches. Bone age x-rays provide more accurate predictions but still cannot account for individual variation in growth patterns and timing of puberty.
Genetics account for 60-80% of height variation. Other factors include nutrition (especially during childhood), overall health, hormones (particularly growth hormone and thyroid hormone), sleep quality, and chronic illnesses. Environmental factors have less impact than genetics but still matter.
No, being shorter or taller than average is usually not a health concern. Height percentiles below the 5th or above the 95th should be evaluated to rule out medical conditions, but most people in these ranges are healthy individuals at the natural extremes of normal variation.
Girls typically stop growing around ages 14-16, about 1-2 years after their first menstrual period. Boys usually stop growing around ages 16-18, though some may continue until age 20-21. Growth plates close when puberty ends.
Men are generally taller due to longer growth periods and higher levels of growth-promoting hormones during puberty. Boys experience puberty later than girls and have a longer prepubertal growth period, plus testosterone promotes greater bone growth than estrogen.
Good nutrition during childhood and adolescence is essential for reaching genetic height potential. Chronic malnutrition can stunt growth, while adequate nutrition allows optimal development. However, nutrition cannot make someone exceed their genetic height ceiling.
This calculator provides general information and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Height percentiles are screening tools and must be interpreted in the context of overall health and family history. Consult a healthcare provider or endocrinologist if you have concerns about growth patterns, especially in children. Individual variation in height is normal and usually not a cause for concern.